Austin Dillon of Richard Childress Racing has had his penalties upheld by NASCAR, despite making a final appeal. The penalties stem from his controversial win at Richmond Raceway, where he executed a last-lap maneuver that involved bumping Joey Logano and causing Denny Hamlin to crash into the wall. NASCAR determined that Dillon’s actions crossed the line, earning him a 25-point penalty and the removal of his playoff eligibility from that victory.
The National Motorsports Appeals Panel initially upheld the penalties, and this week, Bill Mullis, the final appeals officer and owner of Langley Speedway, affirmed the decision in a final ruling. Mullis based his ruling on data from the SMT system and other factors, concluding that a rule violation likely occurred during the last lap of the Richmond race. According to NASCAR’s Rule 12.3.2.1.B, race finishes must be unencumbered by rule violations or actions detrimental to stock car racing, which they determined had been violated by Dillon’s maneuver.
As a result of the penalties, Dillon remains 29th in the season standings. While he still officially holds the Richmond win, it will not contribute to his playoff eligibility. So far this season, Dillon has recorded three top-10 finishes, three DNFs, and led a total of 35 laps.
