After the Richmond race, NASCAR penalized the Richard Chidress Racing driver of the number three car Austin Dillon for his rough driving that resulted in Dillon keeping his win but having his playoff win taken away.
Richard Childress appealed the penalty, but the National Motorsport Appeals Panel upheld the penalty with the exception of the suspension of the team three spotter whose suspension was reduced from three races to one.
Childress appealed the decision to the Final Appeals Officer and on August 26 Mullis upheld the penalty. The Final Appeals Officer was RCR’s last opportunity to have the penalty overturned.
In giving his decision, Mullis said, “the data presented today from SMT and IDAS systems indicate that more likely than not a rule violation did occur at Richmond Raceway on August 11, 24 by the number three 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.)”
On the final lap of the race, Joey Logano was leading the race with Austin Dillon in second; Dillon clipped the rear of Logano’s car, sending him into a spin. Dillon then hit Denny Hamlin and sent Hamlin into the wall.
Currently Dillon is 29th in the point standings and must win the final race of the season at Darlington if he wishes to make into the playoffs…and he has plenty of company of drivers who need a win to make the playoffs.