NASCAR penalizing Austin Dillon gets seal of approval from Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell agreed with NASCAR's landmark decision to revoke Austin Dillon's playoff spot following his Richmond victory. The #3 Richard Childress Racing driver had wrecked Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final lap to clinch the win and the playoff berth.
On Wednesday, August 14, NASCAR announced the penalties for the Richmond Race, stating that Dillon's victory would not make him eligible for the playoffs. The #3 Chevy driver got to keep his win but was docked 25 driver and owner points. His spotter, Brandon Benesch received a three-race suspension for his comments over the radio. He had been calling on his driver to wreck Denny Hamlin.
In a recent appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell said Dillon had "crossed the line" at Richmond. The veteran driver added that instead of reviewing past precedents, the governing body has now drawn a line in the sand with its latest penalty.
"I think everybody kinda knew that the line was crossed Sunday night, and you know, NASCAR obviously responded. As far as jumping in like, do I think it’s fair, do I think it’s right, I think more than anything when you listen to all the feedback, all the noise, everybody has an opinion of what’s precedent, what’s been done in the past, who got penalized for what. I think we just gotta scratch all that and just get to, who we’re going to be as a sport, what we’re going to allow and what we’re not going to allow." he said.
The 39-year-old suggests NASCAR doesn't wish to see drivers wreck others to seal their playoff berth. He added:
"I think we all kinda want to know what’s going to be penalized and what’s not going to be penalized. The fact of the matter is that everybody watching it and all the drivers I would say are going to agree that Sunday’s race was probably too far."
With the penalties, Dillon dropped back to 31st in the regular season standings.
Richard Childress Racing to appeal Austin Dillon's penalty
Soon after NASCAR announced the penalties for Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing released a statement on X (previously Twitter), indicating that the team was disappointed to learn about the penalties and is planning to appeal the decision.
The post read:
"Richard Childress Racing is very disappointed in NASCAR’s penalty against the No. 3 team. We do not agree with the decision that was made and plan to appeal."
The appeal will be heard by the National Motorsports Appeals Panel, with the date yet to be announced. Dillon still has a chance to qualify for the playoffs by winning in the remaining three regular-season races, although his playoff points from Richmond victory won't count.
Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass reported that Richard Childress Racing won't request for a deferral of #3 spotter Brandon Benesch. Brett Griffin was listed as Austin Dillon's spotter for this weekend's race at Michigan International Speedway.