Richard Childress Racing (RCR), the team that fields the No. 3 NASCAR Chevy Camaro ZL1 for Austin Dillon in the Cup Series, announced that it will attempt to appeal the penalties assessed after Richmond. Dillon was cited for intentionally wrecking the No. 22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse of Joey Logano and the No. 11 Toyota TRD Camry of Denny Hamlin on the last lap to win on August 11th, 2024.
According to a report from NASCAR.com, RCR dropped the news on social media shortly after the penalties were announced. As a reminder, Dillon’s victory at Richmond stands, but his Playoff eligibility has been nullified. That means he does not retain his Playoff berth that was granted when he won. His team was also deducted 25 driver and owner points in the respective championships. The No. 3 team spotter, Brandon Benesch, was also suspended for three races after telling Austin Dillon to “wreck him” while racing Logano and Hamlin.
“Richard Childress Racing is very disappointed in NASCAR’s penalty against the No. 3 team,” RCR stated on X. “We do not agree with the decision that was made and plan to appeal.”
NASCAR indicated that the appeal will be heard by the National Motorsports Appeals Panel on a date yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, Logano, who was frustrated after being spun from the lead, was also penalized for his postrace actions. He spun the tires of his No. 22 Mustang in front of Dillon’s pit, where his crewmembers and family were gathered. As a result, Logano was fined $50,000 for violating the safety regulations on Pit Road. Logano and his team, Penske Racing, have not announced intent to appeal his fine at this time.
The decision to pull the Playoff spot from Austin Dillon leaves four Playoff berths up for grabs over the next three races before the field of 16 championship-eligible drivers is decided. The next race is at Michigan International Speedway on August 18th, 2024.
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Comments
Actually, don’t mind what happened to logano or hamlin as always enjoy it more when the finish badly or better yet DNF. But childress should be happy that #3 kept the race win & hope that dillon learns something. If the appeal fails, they should tack on the removal of the race win for wasting their time.
I care little about Hamlin or Logano as well BUT what I think is very evident here is just how STUPID Logano is for his dangerous actions on pit road. That ahole should have had bigger fine and lost points. Shame to think we have that mentality out on the racetrack.
Granted the finish was nuts. However, at the appeal Childress should show a compilation film of all the wrecking the leader for a win when no penalties were handed out. Logan and Hamilin would be main offenders.
He can wreck Hamlin and those Toyotas all day long, but wrecking Joey that was bad.