Childress loses final appeal against Dillon's Richmond penalty

Richard Childress Racing has had its final appeal of Austin Dillon’s penalty from Richmond Raceway denied.

Bill Mullis was the Final Appeal Officer who made the decision following Monday’s hearing. It’s been two weeks since Dillon was penalized and had his NASCAR Cup Series postseason eligibility stripped for his actions on the last lap at Richmond. NASCAR also docked the team 25 points in the driver and owner championship. Brandon Benesch, Dillon’s spotter, had his three-race suspension for his radio communication reduced to one race during the initial appeal.

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As required by the NASCAR Rule Book, Mullins explained his decision as: “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.)”

NASCAR penalized Dillon and his team under sections 4.4.B NASCAR Member Code of Conduct Penalty Options and Guidelines; 10.1.A General Procedure; 12.3.2.1.B Eligibility. When explaining the penalty, Elton Sawyer, NASCAR senior vice president of competition, said that it stemmed from the totality of Dillon wrecking two drivers on the final lap at Richmond to take the victory. Dillon drove from multiple car lengths back to spin Joey Logano in Turn 3 before he right-hooked Denny Hamlin in Turn 4. It was the first race Dillon had won in two years.

With all appeal options complete, Dillon will need to win Sunday night at Darlington Raceway in the regular season finale to re-earn a spot in the postseason.