Austin Dillon doesn't believe NASCAR would accept drivers or crewmen sitting during the national anthem.
The Sprint Cup told reporters Friday afternoon at Richmond International Raceway he believes NASCAR fans likely wouldn't take very kindly to someone disrespecting the flag.
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"I don't know how it would go over with our fans," Dillon told media members on Friday at Richmond . "I mean, we are a very patriotic sport.
"Our sport does a good job of showing that every Saturday, Sunday, of showing patriotism and what the flag means. Not only that, we have a lot of military out here each and every weekend."
Dillon mentioned his friends in the armed forces and how some of them will even critique the way racers stand during the anthem.
SPECTOR: Time for American sports to ditch anthem
"I've got SEAL guys that will personally text me and say, 'Hey, thank you for not moving around; sitting there, we love that.' When they see people that are not paying attention during our national anthem or kind of off looking around in the right place, it means a lot to them just to stand at attention," Dillon said.
"I wouldn't want to ask a guy that puts his life on the line for our freedom to have to see that. The ones I know, they text me and tell me, 'Hey, man, love to see you out there when you have your hand across your heart, you are standing at attention and respecting the flag.' That is my stance on it because I have close friends that are still fighting. I think this is the greatest country in the world. I've traveled to other countries and I'm glad to get home every time to America."
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Dillon starts eighth in Saturday night's Federated Auto Parts 400; green flag flies at 7:43 p.m. ET. It's a critical race for Dillon, who is trying to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup for the first time. He enters the night with a berth in hand and needs a good run to secure his position.