NASCAR made a clear statement last week when it punished Austin Dillon. The Richard Childress Racing driver was docked 25 points in the drivers’ and owners’ standings following his wrecking controversy at Richmond Raceway. Not only that, Dillon saw his playoff place taken away despite winning in Virginia.

The #3 driver attracted a lot of attention after he wrecked Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano at Richmond. Unsurprisingly, many didn’t appreciate the incident and, more importantly, how NASCAR handled it immediately after the race. While the governing body gave its verdict last week, RCR appealed it. With the outcome revealed, the fans have had loads to say to Richard Childress.

Finally, a much-needed triumph in the RCR penalty appeal

The driver’s penalty concerned Sections 4.4.B NASCAR Member Code of Conduct Penalty Options and Guidelines; 10.1.A General Procedure; 12.3.2.1.B Eligibility. Along with him, his team spotter, Brandon Benesch, was suspended for three races for violating Sections 4.4.D and 10.1.A for his infamous “WRECK HIM! WRECK HIM!” rant during the final moments of the race.

“NASCAR represents elite motorsports and, as such, its drivers are expected to demonstrate exemplary conduct if its series’ championships are to be validated. In this case, the ‘line’ was crossed,” an official statement from the panel, consisting of retired Mobil executive and stock car racing community member Tom DeLoach, former Hendrick Motorsports technical director and retired Roush Fenway racing General Manager, Tommy Wheeler and NASCAR insider Kelly Housby, read.

Despite Richard Childress‘ efforts against his grandson’s ruling, it got rejected as rightly predicted by Denny Hamlin. However, on a positive note, the #3 driver’s spotter’s suspension was reduced from three races to one.

While it was Austin Dillon’s first win of the 2024 campaign, many questioned how it stood despite his intent of wrecking being crystal clear. Both victims, Logano and Hamlin, also spoke candidly about how disappointed they were with NASCAR not acting upon it promptly.

As time passed, different teams, team members, and drivers voiced their opinions in favor of what the two drivers said. After all, the sport’s integrity was at stake. To be desperate to qualify for the playoffs is one thing, but how has to be done has to be clear as day. While NASCAR took its own sweet time to come up with the final verdict, drivers are happy with the decision, as is the fandom.

In fact, some of them lashed RCR severely after the upholding announcement.

NASCAR community slam Richard Childress and his team

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In a way, it was expected that the penalty appeal would not have enough grounds to overrule NASCAR’s decision. Expressing happiness at the final outcome, one fan came down heavily on the veteran team owner: “You embarrassed our sport with that move then doubling down on it. Just take the L.” On the same note, another fan also angrily vented out his frustration on Richard Childress, while taking a dig at Austin Dillon, writing, “You people are such pathetic sore loser cry babies. Maybe get an actual driver with talent instead of the nepotism silver spoon loser you keep employed and this wouldn’t happen.”

Childress came under fire after he radioed his grandson and said, “Pop Pop is proud of you,” after the latter’s controversial win. Even after the decision, the team hasn’t backed down from the hopes of overturning the ruling. “Richard Childress Racing is disappointed in the results of today’s hearing in front of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel. We respect the NASCAR appeals process, but we do not believe that today’s outcome reflects the facts presented. We plan to appeal the decision to the Final Appeal Officer,” the team wrote on social media on Wednesday afternoon.

Notably, the final appeals officer for 2024 is Langley Speedway owner Bill Mullis, and in his absence, Daytona Beach-area attorney with extensive motorsports experience, Chris Harris.

As for the fans, one asked RCR to move on. “Just take the loss and move on guys. EVERYBODY disagrees with you that it was a fair win,” the comment read. Denny Hamlin appeared happy with NASCAR. However, he also added that Austin Dillon is not a bad person and that “everyone deserves second chances” especially given his dismal luck this year. Logano, on the other hand, said despite everything he’s still the “last car on the lead lap after all that” and that the organization “probably need to make the call quicker”.

One fan relished the win for NASCAR with the upholding of the penalty. He said, “Extremely rare NASCAR W.” At the same time, while another fan spoke on similar lines, he questioned why the spotter got his penalty reduced. He said, “Good! They got one right and it stays in place. I am surprised the spotter is getting a break though.”

Eventually, it is the outcome that matters the most. This decision certainly lays out the benchmark for the line that needs not be crossed. While Richard Childress is still expected to fight hard to overturn it, it will be interesting to see how effective he is with his approach. Meanwhile, NASCAR and the fandom can cherish this much-needed victory for the sport.