NASCAR
NASCAR Strips Austin Dillon’s Richmond Win of Playoff Eligibility
Wednesday afternoon, NASCAR made the ruling that Austin Dillon’s Richmond win would no longer count towards the 2024 Playoffs. This first-of-its-kind decision falls three days after Dillon’s No. 3 bumped Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin out of the way on the last lap for Sunday’s victory.
Following a review of all available footage, data, and team communications, NASCAR has allowed Dillon to keep this win. They have rendered his automatic Playoff berth null and void however, in addition to docking the No. 3 team 25 drivers’ and owners’ points.
Officials cited a breaking of Section 12.3.2.1.b of the NASCAR Rule Book, referring to playoff eligibility and stating: “Race finishes must be unencumbered by violation(s) of the NASCAR Rules or other action(s) detrimental to stock car auto racing or NASCAR as determined in the sole discretion of NASCAR.”
Following this action, Dillon drops from 26th to 31st in the regular season championship standings. Dillon’s spotter Brandon Benesch has also been suspended for the next three races. Benesch audibly told Dillon to “wreck him” before contact was made with Denny Hamlin. The spotter will return following the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway on Sunday, September 1.
Joey Logano was also fined $50,000 for spinning his tires near several unprotected people on pit road. Footage of this incident shows a gathered crowd of people around the No. 3 team’s pit box being forced to scatter from the No. 22 Ford.
Richard Childress Racing has decided to appeal this decision. Any updates will be shared when available.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credits to Sean Gardner/Getty Images
