The recent Richmond race ended in controversy as Austin Dillon swept Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin out of the way to take the victory. NASCAR, setting a strong precedent, gave their decision on the events that unfolded at the Richmond Raceway. NASCAR has penalized Austin Dillon. While he will retain the win, he won’t have a playoff spot that usually comes with the victory. Additionally, he’s lost 25 points in the standings, and his spotter has been suspended for 3 races for giving the ‘wreck’ call on the radio.

Here’s what happened on track that day. Dillon was poised for victory as the race neared its end, only to see his lead evaporate under caution. Restarting behind Logano, Dillon’s playoff hopes were on the line. In a desperate gamble for the win, he made contact with Logano in the final turn, sending the leader spinning. Hamlin capitalized on the chaos, but Dillon’s car clipped his, sending Hamlin into the wall. The controversial finish secured Dillon the win.

NASCAR penalises Austin Dillon and Joey Logano

NASCAR surely took their time in deciding on the series of events that occurred on the track. Making everyone in the NASCAR community anxious and questioning whether NASCAR has decided to not bat an eye on the incident. NASCAR has been stringent in their decision ensuring that such behaviour on track won’t be appreciated. Facing penalties, were Dillon, his spotter and also Joey Logano, who displayed aggression on the pit road.

NASCAR’s Elton Sawyer on issuing the penalty said, “The No. 1 thing is that we want to make sure that we are protecting the integrity of our playoffs as well as our championship when we get to [the final race at] Phoenix. NASCAR previously believed that the incident was close to the ‘line of unacceptability’, but didn’t cross it. However, while issuing the penalty, they thought otherwise, as Sawyer said, “We want them to be able to race hard, that’s what our sport has been about for 75 plus years — but we also want them to understand, and I believe that each and every one of them understands, that this crossed the line.”

The win of Austin Dillon had broken the Richard Childress Racing team, dry spell. The team that has the likes of the two-time NASCAR Cup series champion Kyle Busch has struggled to find a strong footing in the season and will continue to do so. However, they are not set to give up. RCR was quick to respond to NASCAR’s decision. According to them, they will refute it. RCR, in their statement on X, said, “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.” 

Additionally, Hamlin, who also faced the brunt of Austin Dillon, took a sarcastic gibe at the RCR team as he also took to X to give them a piece of his mind. He wrote, “Not as disappointed as I was off turn 4.” Who inches away from a consecutive win at Richmond was denied the opportunity.

While giving out penalties, NASCAR did not show mercy to anyone. Even Joey Logano was fined $50,000 for his aggression on the pit lane. Where fuming post the race, he revved and skidded his tyres in front of the celebrating RCR faction. Also present near this incident was Dillon’s family making this move by Logano, uncalled for. Post the decision of NASCAR, RCR is upset, but Chris Buescher is pleased as he’s back in the playoff spot.

The NASCAR playoff picture changed

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The unexpected win of Dillon put him from being 32nd in points to giving him the 13 spot in the playoffs. This caused some changes in the position of the bubble drivers. The decision that has stripped Dillon of his playoff chance has re-enabled 4 vacant spots in the last three races of the regular season.

The decision has also helped Bubba Wallace move up to the 15th position in the playoffs picture. Martin Truex Jr. is in 13th and Ty Gibbs in 14th currently hold comfortable positions above the playoff cut line. After the decision, Chris Buescher has taken the 16th position and has edged out Ross Chastain for the final playoff position. Although they are tied on points, Buescher holds the tiebreaker because of his superior best finishes this season, including two second-place finishes compared to Chastain’s best of fourth.

However, the battle for the final places in payoffs is getting fierce. Although MTJ got a DNF in Richmond, he still has the safest cushion, as he is +78 points above the cutoff line. As for the ones below him, the cushion gets thinner and thinner. Ty Gibbs is +18 points, Bubba is +3 and Buescher is +0 points. These standings can quickly change, throwing them out of the playoff race. All the bubble drivers will be seen going for the win in the races to come as it has come to a do-or-die situation for them.

What do you think of NASCAR’s decision? Who do you think will make it to the final 16? Let us know in the comments below.