Three days after Austin Dillon’s controversial victory at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, NASCAR officials have announced that the win will not count toward eligibility in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
Dillon wiped out both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final lap of overtime to break a 68-race winless streak.
While Dillon’s victory will stand, an automatic berth into the 16-driver playoff will be voided, according to officials. The win will not count toward the owner’s playoffs as well.
Dillon was in violation of Section 12.3.2.1.b of the NASCAR Rule Book, which deals with playoff eligibility and states: “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.”
The driver of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet was also docked 25 driver points, along with the team losing 25 owner points. That drops Dillon from 26th in the standings to 31st.
Logano was fined $50,000 for his post-race actions on pit road following the race. Out of frustration, the Team Penske driver spun his tires in front of Dillon’s pit box while crew members were present, which was a violation of the member code of conduct for compromising the safety of others.
Dillon’s spotter, Brandon Benesch, was also suspended for three races. After a review of the No. 3 team’s radio, officials discovered Benesch saying “wreck him” as Dillon went wheel-to-wheel with Hamlin coming off turn four before Hamlin was spun.
With Dillon removed from the playoffs, the playoff cutline has moved as RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher vaults to the 16th and final position. Buescher is tied with Ross Chastain for 16th, however, holds the tiebreaker over Chastain due to best finish on the season (second).