The penalty NASCAR officials assessed to Richard Childress Racing and Austin Dillon following the Richmond (Va.) Raceway NASCAR Cup Series event on Aug. 11 has been upheld by Final Appeals Officer Bill Mullis.
Last week, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld Dillon’s penalty, which revoked the No. 3 Chevrolet team from making the NASCAR Playoffs due to Dillon wrecking Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final lap of the race while en route to the victory at Richmond. Though stripped of playoff eligibility, Dillon and RCR are still credited with the victory.
Following last week’s ruling, RCR released a statement saying the team would appeal the panel’s decision.
Dillon and the No. 3 team were docked 25 points in the drivers’ and owners’ standings.
Mullis explained his reasoning for upholding the penalty.
“The data presented today from SMT and IDAS systems indicate that more likely than not a rule violation did occur at Richmond Raceway on 8-11-24 by the No. 3 RCR car on the last lap of the race. (Rule 12.3.2.1.B Eligibility, race finishes must be unencumbered by violations of the NASCAR rules or other actions detrimental to stock car auto racing or NASCAR as determined in the sole discretion of NASCAR.)”
The penalty violated Sections 4.4.B NASCAR Member Code of Conduct Penalty Options and Guidelines; 10.1. A General Procedure; 12.3.2.1.B Eligibility. Benesch was cited for violating 4.4.D and 10.1.A. Dillon and the No. 3 team were also docked 25 points in the drivers’ and owners’ standings in the penalty handed down Aug. 14.
Dillon is 29th in the driver’s standings following a 22nd-place finish at Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway. This weekend, the Cup Series heads to Darlington (S.C.) Raceway for the final race in the regular season. Dillon would need a victory at Darlington to secure a berth into the playoffs.