Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon has had his final appeal denied, confirming severe penalties including the loss of his Richmond race playoff eligibility and a deduction of 25 points from his season tally.
This ruling follows actions during the race’s dramatic last lap at Richmond Raceway on August 11, 2024, where Dillon intentionally crashed into Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to take the victory.
Richard Childress Racing initially appealed the penalty, which was denied. However, the team decided to take it a step further with another appeal with the Final Appeals Panel, but this has now also been denied.
Appeals Officer Bill Mullis released the following statement, as reported by Bob Pockrass:
“If we hadn’t penalized it, then I think what we would see over the next 12 weeks would look significantly different.
“In reaching the above decision, the FAO provided the following explanation: ‘The data presented today from SMT and IDAS systems indicate that more likely than not a rule violation did occur at Richmond Raceway on 8-11-24 by the No. 3 RCR car on the last lap of the race. (Rule 12.3.2.1.B Eligibility, race finishes must be unencumbered by violations of the NASCAR rules or other actions detrimental to stock car auto racing or NASCAR as determined in the sole discretion of NASCAR.)”
This final decision leaves Dillon in a precarious position, ranking 29th in the overall points standings. Dillon has just one chance to make the finals by winning the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway next weekend.
NASCAR president Steve Phelps has commented on Dillon’s punishment, as Newsweek previously reported:
“I’ve heard drivers over the years say, ‘I don’t know where the line is.’ Tell me where the line is and you can show me the line. “So if you know someone going 170 miles an hour down the mile and a half, you’re on the line and we’ll let you.
“We’re ready, there’s two of them. Do we want to do this? We don’t, but we have to make sure our drivers are safe, and you’re not safe in that situation.
“I think when we looked at the story and what happened, it was too fast, but two accidents in one second. In turn 3 you had an accident. In turn 4 you have a problem and the race ends. ”
I think it was a hit or a run or something, I’m not saying there wasn’t a hit; I don’t know because you had a second shift, the second shift we thought was a hook, the eye test .and the data shows that this has happened.
And it will be a dangerous competitor. “Danny was hit hard… We think a line was crossed.”
He adds: If we don’t beat him, I think things will look very different over the next 12 weeks. “We can’t do that. It really depends on what you want in your sport. And that’s why we think we’re not a demolition derby. “We’re not. We’re a sport. If we don’t do something, we’re open to trouble, really.”
