The Austin Dillon penalty saga went on longer than expected. Undoubtedly, the #3 driver was guilty of wrecking Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin at Richmond Raceway. Despite the act, NASCAR allowed to keep his win but was stripped of his playoff spot. While the punishment didn’t go down well with Richard Childress, the team’s failed penalty appeal shocked the legendary owner.

The strong reactions from other team owners and drivers after the incident compelled NASCAR to act strongly against Dillon. After all, the RCR drivers’ intentions were pretty evident in the final lap at Richmond. Unfortunately, Richard Childress couldn’t see it in the same way. In fact, he lost his cool after failing to get the decision reversed.

Richard Childress left disappointed with Austin Dillon’s penalty appeal evaluation

Last Monday, the National Motorsports Final Appeal Officer Bill Mullis upheld NASCAR’s penalty to rescind Austin Dillon’s playoff spot. In his ruling, Mullis confirmed that race data indicated “that more likely than a rule violation did occur.” This comes after NASCAR only deemed Dillon’s act as crossing the line. To maintain the integrity of the sport, the ruling was essential.

While many appreciated the punishment, Richard Childress couldn’t digest the final outcome despite the team’s appeal to reverse it. Being a team owner for 55 years, Childress has come across various rulings from NASCAR but never has he fought as strongly as with this one. Speaking to Fox Sports journalist Bob Pockrass before the race at Darlington, he looked more than upset.

He said, “Their ruling has changed NASCAR racing on the final lap forever.” Childress then explained how the penalty has affected the team. Dillon qualifying for the playoffs would have helped RCR immensely with their financials. NASCAR’s charter system pays is based on the final point standings. With the #3 missing out on the playoffs, it would hamper Childress’ team.

The 78-year-old said, “It’s [The penalty is] over a million dollars to us. The largest fine ever in NASCAR. I’m just disappointed, disappointed, disappointed. That’s all I can say.” It is understandable where Childress is coming from. However, that doesn’t hide the fact what Dillon did was acceptable. Had NASCAR let this one go, there was no guarantee a similar incident might not have taken place sooner after that.

After all, to keep the sport as clean as possible is NASCAR’s job. Childress claiming a million-dollar loss would have stood correct had Austin Dillon won the race fair and square and still been deprived of a playoff spot. Naturally, witnessing the RCR owner’s claims, the fans lost their cool as well.

NASCAR fandom criticizes Richard Childress for claiming financial loss with Austin Dillon’s penalty appeal

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In his rant before the Darlington race, Richard Childress claimed NASCAR’s ruling of Austin Dillon changed racing on the final lap forever. While it might not be true, he questioned the basis on which the wrecking of Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin was judged. For the Logano incident, Childress argued if the drivers know where crossing a line is.

He said, “The drivers now, they know where a line is, or they think they do. They don’t. If you go in a car length – two-and-three-quarters was exactly how far back he was [of Logano], and the other car slows down 3 miles an hour on the last lap, you’re going to bump in a little to get [him] up the race track. Is that over now?”

For the Hamlin incident, Childress made a questionable point. He said, “And then if you go to racing somebody off the corner and they get loose [as Hamlin did] and get into you, then does that mean you’re out of the Chase? That’s all I got to say about the ruling. But it has changed racing for a win for sure.” Naturally, such arguments didn’t go down well with the NASCAR community.

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Fans vented out their irritation with Richard Childress on Reddit. One lost his patience with RCR constantly trying to get sympathy out of the penalty. He said, “Ngl, kinda tired of hearing RCR’s attempts to form a pity party.” Another one spoke on similar lines when he questioned Childress’ team trying to hide their innocence after the obvious wrecking. He said, “How the f–k are they still doubling down on their innocence. It’s embarrassing.”

For Childress’ comments of making a million-dollar loss, one fan argued, “It’s not a fine if you didn’t earn the money in the first place.” Another fan criticized the RCR owner for blindly defending his grandson. He said, “Imagine advocating to be allowed to right rear hook someone and get away with it. Remember that kid growing up that had parents/grandparents who would never believe their kid could do wrong and it’s always someone else’s fault? Thats what we have here. A total sellout.”

At the same time, one fan argued Childress would have criticized others had Austin Dillon been on the receiving end of such an incident. He said, “Wonder if he’s still disappointed in Nascar if it’s Dillon that gets right reared off the final corner.”

Truth be told, there’s no point debating given the final decision has been declared. Now, Richard Childress would be hoping for either Kyle Busch or Austin Dillon to win on Sunday at Darlington. Hopefully, this would help settle the matter and help RCR move on from the Richmond controversy.