Over the weekend, NASCAR raced on the short track of Richmond Raceway. Austin Dillon drove into the bumper of race-leader Joey Logano on the final lap. As Logano spun, Dillon then hooked Hamlin in the right rear.
Dillon crashed his way to victory lane and locked himself into the playoffs. Immediately, NASCAR stated they would review the finish.
On Wednesday, penalties were issued to both Dillon and Logano. NASCAR has removed Dillon from playoff competition and docked the team 25 points.
Additionally, Dillon’s spotter Brandon Benesch has been suspended for three races. Benesch was heard saying “wreck him” over the team radio.
NASCAR explains the penalty
“I think in all due respect to the appeal process, we looked at this and the totality of everything that happened as you enter Turn 3 and as the cars got to the start/finish line,” Elton Sawyer said.
“So, as we look through all of that data, we came to the conclusion that a line had been crossed. Our sport has been based going for many, many years, forever, on good, hard racing. Contact has been acceptable. We felt like, in this case, that the line was crossed.”
Joey Logano was also fined $50,000.
RCR Statement
“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.”
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