Richard Childress Racing still isn’t pleased an intends to take their case to the final appeals officer
Two weeks ago, Austin Dillon drove into the bumper of Joey Logano on the final lap at Richmond Raceway. He then turned Denny Hamlin moments later.
Watch the video of the final lap here
After crashing them both, Dillon drove to victory lane. At the time, he qualified for a playoff spot.
After the race, NASCAR allowed the win to stand but it couldn’t be used for playoff eligibility. Dillon was removed from the playoffs. Additionally, the spotter was suspended for 3 races.
Austin Dillon’s team encouraged him to crash Logano, Hamlin (Audio)
Richard Childress Racing elected to appeal the penalty to the No. 3 team. Today, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel heard their case…
Appeals panel adjusts penalty
Upon hearing the testimony, the decisions of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel are:
– 1. That the Appellants violated the Rule(s) set forth in the Penalty Notice.
– 2. That the Panel finds the following penalty or punishment to be incorrect or inappropriate for the following reason: “The spotter penalty is excessive and the suspension is reduced to one race, i.e. ‘time served.’ Therefore the penalty is amended to read: Brandon Benesch suspension is reduced to one race.
In reaching the above decision, the panel provided the following explanation: “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 Appeals Panel members for this hearing:
– Mr. Tom DeLoach
– Mr. Kelly Housby
– Mr. Tommy Wheeler
Original penalty
Driver/Team: No. 3 Austin Dillon
Date: 8/11/2024 (post-race)
Level: Behavioral
Sections 4.4.B&D: NASCAR Member Conduct; 10.1 A: General Procedure; 12.3.2.1 B: Eligibility
Penalty: Team assessed with the loss of 25 driver and owner points. The race finish will not count when determining eligibility for the Playoffs, Playoff points, or Playoff seeding
—
Driver/Team: No. 3 Austin Dillon
Date: 8/11/2024 (post-race)
Level: Behavioral
Sections 4.4.B&D: NASCAR Member Conduct; 10.1 A: General Procedure
Penalty: Spotter (Brandon Benesch) has been suspended from the next three points events, through Darlington, September 1, 2024
RCR issues statement after the penalty to Austin Dillon
Richard Childress Racing plans to take on final appeal
Richard Childress Racing has the option to take it to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer in accordance with the NASCAR Rule Book. That would be their final option for appeal.
Richard Childress Racing has issued plans to do that.
The team stated, “Richard Childress Racing is disappointed in the results of today’s hearing in front of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel. We respect the NASCAR appeals process, but we do not believe that today’s outcome reflects the facts presented. We plan to appeal the decision to the Final Appeal Officer.”
Links
Austin Dillon | Joey Logano | Denny Hamlin | Richmond Raceway | NASCAR
