Austin Dillon loses automatic playoff berth for actions in crash-filled NASCAR win
NASCAR is taking away driver Austin Dillon's automatic berth to the playoffs after he was involved in two wrecks on the last lap before winning the Cook Out 400 in Richmond, Virginia, on Sunday night.
He's still declared the race winner but loses the automatic bid and he and the Richard Childress Racing No. 3 team will be docked 25 points, it was announced on Wednesday.
Dillon had hit Joey Logano on Sunday night from behind in the fourth turn on the final lap and sent him crashing into the wall. Dillon then clipped Denny Hamlin, causing another crash, and crossed the finish line first for his first win in nearly two years.
According to NASCAR.com, the automatic playoff berth was taken away under Section 12.3.2.1.b, which says: “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.”
Elton Sawyer, NASCAR senior vice president of competition, told NASCAR.com: "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.”
Brandon Benesch, the No. 3 team’s spotter, will be suspended for three races after being heard on audio saying, "Wreck him."
RCR said it was "very disappointed in NASCAR’s penalty" and plans to appeal.
Logano was furious with Dillon, calling his actions a "chicken (expletive) move." But he is also being penalized for his actions while driving on pit road after the race and was fined $50,000.
With Dillon losing the automatic entry, the postseason field sits at 12. He dropped to 31st overall in the standings after the 25-point deduction. He can still clinch one of the four available spots if he wins one of the remaining three races, starting with Sunday's FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
The playoffs start Sept. 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
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