top of page
Writer's pictureTSN MOTORSPORTS INSIDER

Appeals Board Upholds Austin Dillon's Major NASCAR Penalty



On Wednesday, the National Motorsport Appeals Panel, which is responsible for reviewing appeals from NASCAR participants, announced that it has confirmed a penalty imposed on Austin Dillon following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond last weekend.


With this penalty, Dillon still keeps his win, but that win will still not count toward his playoff eligibility and the driver will still lose 25 championship points.


Brandon Benesch, his spotter, had his suspension reduced from three races to one.


A statement from the panel says that the group reached this decision because “NASCAR represents elite motorsports and, as such, its drivers are expected to demonstrate exemplary conduct if its series’ championships are to be validated. In this case, the ‘line’ was crossed.”


The initial decision against Dillon was based on his conduct in the last two turns of the race. He was alleged to have intentionally triggered a crash with the race leader, Joey Logano, and then swerved onto the track to also impact Denny Hamlin, who was passing by. NASCAR determined that these actions breached their rules, which mandate that winning performances must be devoid of any infractions of the NASCAR regulations or any behaviors that are detrimental to stock car racing or NASCAR, as judged exclusively by NASCAR.


Wednesday's appeal was heard by a panel made of stock car community members Tom DeLoach, Kelly Housby, and Tommy Wheeler. Richard Childress Racing will take their appeal one step further to a final appeal officer, Langley Speedway short track owner Bill Mullis.


That second appeal will be the team's final opportunity to appeal the decision, but Dillon can still make the playoffs by winning one of the next two races regardless of the outcome of either appeal. Dillon currently sits 29th in the series standings. If the benefits of his win were restored or if he were to win another race before the playoffs start, he would be locked into a finish of 16th at worst and would still have a chance to win the series championship.



9 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page