Livescore
As the result of a last-lap incident at Richmond Raceway on Aug. 14 involving race winner Austin Dillon, Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin, NASCAR allowed Dillon’s win to stand but took his Playoff eligibility away after wrecking Logano and Hamin before crossing under the checkered flag. Richard Childress Racing suffered a 25-point deduction in both the drivers’ and owners’ standings. Dillon’s spotter Brandon Benesch was suspended for three Cup Series races.
According to an article posted by Dustin Long of NBC Sports, Richard Childress Racing was unable to regain RCR Enterprises’ playoff eligibility with Dillon’s Richmond victory in a hearing before the National Motorsports Appeals Panel on Wednesday.
The Panel stated: “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 only change the Panel made was to reduce Benesch’s suspension from three races to one.
As stated in the NBC article, the panel ruled that Dillon violated the rules when he wrecked two cars on the final lap to win at Richmond but called the three-race suspension to Benesch “excessive.”
Serving on the Panel were Tom DeLoach, Kelly Housby and Tommy Wheeler.
Richard Childress Racing 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.”
Dillon and RCR can win an upcoming final appeals process or win either of the next two races of the regular season to secure a spot in the Playoffs. He is currently 31st in points, having had the win taken away at Richmond.
As detailed in NASCAR’s rulebook, NASCAR has a two-step appeals process for regular appeals. The first appeal is held in front of a three-person panel. If a team loses that appeal, it can appeal to a final appeals officer. If the appeals officer gives the appeal win to the team, the process is concluded. For race disqualifications, there is only one appeal heard by one panelist, who can be the final appeals officer.
All that Dillion can do is wait for the final appeals hearing to be scheduled and heard. Once it’s been done, the ruling stands. That date is set to be determined.
Dillon’s best bet is to head to Daytona International Speedway this weekend with the best ECR engine possible and a mindset that he can win the 400-mile Cup Series race there. His next chance will come at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 1 where the Southern 500 will be held.
It is speculated that not gaining a spot in the Playoffs could cost Childress and RCR $2 million in loss of operational resources. That’s two million reasons to win the second appeal. Dillion, Childress and the RCR organization certainly wouldn’t be disappointed with decisive wins at Daytona and Darlington to help put Richmond in their rearview mirror.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Austin Dillon NASCAR suspension appeal process
Read the full article here
