NASCAR’s decision to penalize Austin Dillon for his behavior on the final lap of the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, where he crushed rivals Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano to clinch the victory, has sparked intense reactions in the motorsports community. Richard Childress Racing (RCR) announced its determination to appeal the penalty, a decision that drew a brief and sharp response from Hamlin.
Dillon was stripped of his playoff eligibility after his win at Richmond, lost 25 driver and owner points and had his spotter suspended for three Cup Series races for encouraging the crash. Elton Sawyer, NASCAR’s senior vice president of competition, commented in the NASCAR report:
“I think, with due respect to the appeal process, we looked at that and the totality of everything that happened when you go into Turn 3 and when the cars come to the start/finish line.
“Looking at all this data, we came to the conclusion that a line had been crossed. Our sport has been based for many, many years, forever, on quality and difficult racing. The contacts were acceptable. We felt that in this case, the line had been crossed.”
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Sawyer also noted:
“If you look at the crew chief and the spotter, and you think of them as soothing voices in the driver’s ear, in this case we just felt like we were all listening to the audio.
“We know exactly what was said. We just felt that it wasn’t what we needed from spotters. It wasn’t what we needed from a crew chief sitting on the podium. They’re a calming voice to the situation that’s in front of them, and they’re supposed to be scouting for the race, not making comments like the ones that were made, as we all know.”
RCR posted on X in response to the call:
“Richard Childress Racing is very disappointed with the penalty imposed by NASCAR on the No. 3 team. We do not agree with the decision that was made and plan to appeal.”
Richard Childress Racing is very disappointed with the penalty imposed by NASCAR on the No. 3 team. We do not agree with the decision that was made and plan to appeal.
— RCR (@RCRracing) August 14, 2024
In response to RCR’s announcement to appeal, Hamlin expressed his frustration with the team’s stance and Dillon’s actions on the track with a pointed tweet:
“Not as disappointed as in round 4.”
Hamlin has already expressed his frustration since the race, explaining, as quoted by Autosport:
“I knew the number 3 [Dillon] was going to do something stupid in [Turn] 3. I saw him coming. He wasn’t going to stop until he reached number 22. [Logano].
“We try to create those kinds of moments and when we do, we look ridiculous like we did tonight. [when] Your sport has mud on its face.
“But I think there are probably people in Daytona [NASCAR headquarters] who love this shit and they are the ones who are holding this sport back.
“It’s obviously [a] “That’s fair. That’s just NASCAR. We’re just a different league, right? There’s no penalties for rough driving or anything like that. It gives Austin the opportunity to do whatever he wants.”
