The National Motorsports Appeals Panel has upheld a significant penalty against Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 team, which jeopardizes Austin Dillon’s playoff eligibility after his controversial victory at Richmond. The decision, announced on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, affirmed that Dillon’s win, which initially secured him a playoff spot, would no longer count towards his playoff eligibility. This ruling leaves Dillon needing a win in one of the two remaining regular-season races to make the playoffs.

The controversy stems from Dillon’s actions during the final lap at Richmond, where he collided with Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin, leading to a dramatic and contentious victory. The Appeals Panel agreed with NASCAR’s assessment that Dillon had crossed the line of acceptable conduct, with the ruling stating, “NASCAR represents elite motorsports, and its drivers are expected to demonstrate exemplary conduct if its series’ championships are to be validated. In this case, the ‘line’ was crossed.”

While the primary penalty was upheld, the Appeals Panel did reduce the suspension of Dillon’s spotter, Brandon Benesch, from three races to one. This slight concession was the only modification made to the original penalties imposed by NASCAR. Richard Childress Racing (RCR) expressed disappointment with the decision, stating, “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 upheld penalty means that Dillon, who won at Richmond after wrecking two cars on the final lap, must now secure a victory either at the upcoming race at Daytona or the Southern 500 to ensure his spot in the playoffs. The financial implications of the penalty are significant, with both Denny Hamlin and JTG Daugherty Racing co-owner Brad Daugherty estimating that the playoff ban could cost Richard Childress Racing over $2 million. Daugherty further emphasized the severe impact of the penalty, noting that it could result in “multiple millions of dollars in losses” for the team.

As the series heads to Daytona, Dillon and his team face immense pressure to secure a win and mitigate the financial and competitive consequences of the penalty. The appeal to the Final Appeal Officer will be the team’s last chance to reverse the decision and restore Dillon’s playoff eligibility, adding another layer of drama to the ongoing NASCAR season.