Austin Dillon’s aggressive win at Richmond Raceway won’t get him into the Cup Series playoffs.
On Monday, a NASCAR appeal officer confirmed the decision to take away Dillon’s automatic playoff spot, which he earned with his contentious victory at Richmond on August 11. Dillon had intentionally crashed into Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano as he came out of the final turn to win the race for the first time in two years.
Three days later, NASCAR stated that Dillon’s actions “crossed a line.” While Dillon kept his trophy and prize money, his spot in the 16-driver playoffs was taken away because officials said his actions were “detrimental to stock car auto racing.”
Dillon and his team, Richard Childress Racing, were penalized 25 points in both the drivers’ and owners’ standings. Dillon’s spotter, Brandon Benesch, was also suspended for three races for shouting “Wreck him!” over the radio while Dillon was racing with Hamlin.
Richard Childress Racing appealed the decision, and on Monday, National Motorsports Final Appeal Officer Bill Mullis ruled that race data showed “that more likely than not a rule violation did occur.”
This decision might cost Richard Childress Racing millions because NASCAR’s charter system rewards based on final points standings.
Dillon still has one last chance to make the playoffs; he needs to win at Darlington Raceway on Sunday to get into the field.
NASCAR believes Dillon’s actions at Richmond went beyond the competitive racing spirit that has been part of the Cup Series since it started in 1948. Dillon said he was trying to move Logano’s car but ended up hitting and spinning Hamlin as an immediate reaction.
