NASCAR has finally decided to draw a definitive line in the sand in terms of officiating deliberate contact by drivers during the race. Austin Dillon, the winner of last weekend’s Richmond race, won’t be eligible to compete in the playoffs after he crashed both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to clinch his first win of the season.

This is the first time that NASCAR has chosen to intervene in a race-win situation. Thus making an example out of Austin Dillon’s antics to avoid future incidents. NASCAR went through a full review of the footage and data and deemed that Dillon would keep his win but wouldn’t be eligible for the playoffs.

They cited the breach of Section 12.3.2.1.b of the rule book that deals with playoff eligibility criteria. “Race finishes must be unencumbered by violation(s) of the NASCAR Rules or other action(s) detrimental to stock car auto racing or NASCAR as determined in the sole discretion of NASCAR.” Not only that, Dillon and the No. 3 team were docked an additional 25 points in both drivers’ and owners’ standings.

Apart from this ruling, Joey Logano was also fined $50,000 for his post-race shenanigans. The Penske star, frustrated with how he was raced, spun the tires of his race car near the No. 3 team pit box. This was a violation of the member code of conduct for compromising the safety of others. Logano almost hit Dillon’s family and crew members, who were rushing to the track to celebrate the victory.

NASCAR will intervene in incidents like this says Elton Sawyer

Thanks to the format of the playoffs, even a mid-pack or tail-end running team have the outside chance of making the cut based on just a single race win. One win and you’re in was the get-out-of-jail-free card policy for struggling teams and drivers. And Austin Dillon was among those looking for that one definitive result. However, how he chose to lock himself into the playoffs wasn’t something NASCAR was willing to slide, at least this time.

NASCAR’s Senior Vice President of Competition, Elton Sawyer, explained the reasoning and process behind Dillon’s penalty. “Again, our sport has been based on strong emotions; it’s been based off win and you’re in. But anything like that, we feel like from the sanctioning body that has crossed the line from a standpoint that compromises the integrity of our playoff format as well as our championship. We are going to get involved.”

This ruling was also based on the SMT data along with other available evidence NASCAR had at its disposal. It is important to note that, Dillon’s entire sequence of his demolition derby-like move on the last lap was seen as the whole event. This includes him bumping Logano out of the way and then hooking the No. 11 while exiting the turn 4.

“If you look at everything that happened as the No. 3 and the No. 22 enter turn 3 and then on the exit of 4 with the No. 3 and the No. 11, the total body of work, if you will, the information we gathered led us to that conclusion that we came to on the penalties.” Sawyer went on to add. Now this has certainly flipped the script on how the playoffs picture is right now, and the likes of Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, and Chris Buescher will be feeling good about their chances.

What’s next, and does Austin Dillon still have a shot at making the playoffs?

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It has to be noted that while NASCAR stripped him of his playoff eligibility, the driver will keep his win and the purse that came along with it. However, that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to compete for the remaining four playoff berths. If Dillon manages to win any one of the three remaining races, fair and square, he still advances to the knockout stage of the competition. He does have a good track record at Daytona International Speedway, so do not count him out just yet.

No points have been deducted or added to other drivers. So the field is set the same in terms of the equation; the only change is that four playoff spots are still up for grabs. Bubba Wallace certainly now leads the charge, for the first time since the start of the season, he was able to register back-to-back top 5 finishes. Meanwhile, Ross Chastain would also feel good about his chances after a strong P5 run at Richmond.

If anything at all, fans will be treated to more chaotic racing action, given how fine the margins of error are now. Also, the drivers who are now in the hunt for the playoffs would feel the need to win, as it is the only safest path to the next round of competition.