NASCAR will review Danica Patrick’s actions against David Gilliland during Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway, a series official said.
Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, said Monday on SiriusXM NASCAR that series officials did not meet with Patrick after the race, but the incident is something they’ll “take a look at.’’
Patrick hit the Turn 3 wall after contact with David Gilliland from behind to bring out the caution on Lap 158.
She sought retribution.
At one point, she ran near Gilliland but didn’t know it was him because his car featured a special paint scheme. His red car honored NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Jerry Cook. After passing Gilliland, she was told that was Gilliland’s car. Patrick responded on the radio: “Damn it, I was meaning to take him out. I’ll have to next time.’’
She got her chance later. Running behind Gilliland, she hit him from behind and ran him up the track. She followed and hit him again before spinning in Turn 4 to bring out the caution on Lap 419. Patrick waited until Gilliland came back around and rammed into the back of his car before heading to the garage.
“He unnecessarily, I thought, took me out at the beginning of the race,’’ Patrick told NASCAR Talk. “So I was just repaying the favor.’’
Patrick finished 40th. Gilliland placed 24th.