During the Cup Series race at Richmond on August 11th, 2024, Austin Dillon won in destructive fashion by intentionally ramming the No. 22 NASCAR Ford Mustang Dark Horse of Joey Logano and the No. 11 Toyota TRD Camry of Denny Hamlin. NASCAR came down hard on Dillon’s No. 3 Chevy team, nullifying his Playoff eligibility and issuing points deductions. Richard Childress Racing (RCR) appealed the penalty, but the team has been shot down by officials.
As per a report from NASCAR.com, RCR made an appeal to the National Motorsports Appeal Panel (NMAP) after the rulings to penalize Dillon for his actions at Richmond. The panel, which consisted of Tom DeLoach, Kelly Housby and Tommy Wheeler, reviewed the appeal and ultimately determined that Dillon’s penalties would stand. However, they did amend his spotter’s suspension, meaning that Brandon Benesch will only be suspended for one race instead of three.
“NASCAR represents elite motorsports and, as such, its drivers are expected to demonstrate exemplary conduct if its series’ championships are to be validated,” NMAP said in a statement. “In this case, the ‘line’ was crossed.”
Specifically, Dillon’s actions were found to be in violation of Sections 4.4.B NASCAR Member Code of Conduct Penalty Options and Guidelines; 10.1.A General Procedure; 12.3.2.1.B Eligibility in the NASCAR Rule Book. His Playoffs berth was revoked, meaning he will have to win again if he wants to make this year’s championship. The No. 3 Chevy team was also docked 25 points in both the owners’ and drivers’ championships.
RCR issued a statement expressing disappointment in the ruling, saying, “Richard Childress Racing is disappointed in the results of today’s hearing in front of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel. We respect the NASCAR appeals process, but we do not believe that today’s outcome reflects the facts presented. We plan to appeal the decision to the Final Appeal Officer.”
Logano was also penalized after Richmond. Frustrated after the race, he spun the tires of his No. 22 NASCAR Ford on Pit Road in front of Dillon’s crew, compromising their’ safety. He was fined $50,000.
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Comment
WOW, Logano puts innocent peoples lives in danger and he’s only fined 50k. Dillon, who I have no allegiance to, makes a racing move that many have used before, and he gets a chance of winning it all taken away from him. Not fair at all.