NASCAR announced on Wednesday that Austin Dillon's recent victory at Richmond Raceway will not count towards his eligibility for the Cup Series playoffs. While Dillon will retain credit for his first win of the season, NASCAR deemed his actions during the race as detrimental to the sport.
The incident in question occurred when Dillon, eager to secure his first win in almost two years, made aggressive moves that resulted in Daytona 500 champions Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano crashing into the wall on the final lap of the race. This controversial maneuver ultimately cleared the path for Dillon's victory.
Elton Sawyer, NASCAR's senior vice president of competition, emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the playoffs and championship, leading to the decision to revoke Dillon's playoff eligibility. In addition to this penalty, Dillon and the Richard Childress Racing No. 3 team were each docked 25 points in both the drivers' and owners' standings, causing Dillon to drop significantly in the driver standings.
Furthermore, Dillon's spotter, Brandon Benesch, received a three-race suspension as a consequence of the incident. NASCAR even considered suspending Dillon himself, highlighting the severity of his actions and their impact on the sport.
Joey Logano, who was one of the drivers involved in the crash, was fined $50,000 for his actions on pit road following the incident. Despite the penalties imposed, there has been no confirmation yet on whether Richard Childress Racing intends to appeal NASCAR's decision.
Dillon's victory, while initially a cause for celebration, has now been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding his aggressive driving tactics. Both Logano and Hamlin expressed frustration and disappointment with Dillon's maneuvers, with Logano describing the incident as 'ridiculous' and 'unbelievable.'
In his defense, Dillon stated that he was attempting to make a move on Logano's car and that hitting Hamlin was more of a spontaneous reaction. He cited previous instances in NASCAR where similar aggressive driving tactics were employed, suggesting that such actions are not uncommon in the sport.
As the fallout from this incident continues, NASCAR remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining fair competition and sportsmanship on the racetrack. The decision to penalize Dillon and others involved serves as a reminder of the organization's dedication to upholding the integrity of the sport.
For more NASCAR updates, visit AP NASCAR.
