NASCAR Strips Austin Dillon of Playoff Eligibility, Penalizes Joey Logano After Richmond Controversy

Aug 14, 2024, 07:16 PM

NASCAR has announced penalties following Austin Dillon's controversial win at Richmond Raceway. Dillon, who won the race, has been stripped of his playoff eligibility due to his actions during the final lap, which involved a right-rear hook on Denny Hamlin. The decision was made to uphold the integrity of the playoffs and championship, as stated by NASCAR Senior VP of Competition, Elton Sawyer, who also apologized for the delay in the decision. Despite the penalties, Dillon will keep his Richmond victory, as NASCAR's current rules do not allow for the stripping of a race win. NASCAR's decision has sparked varied reactions within the racing community, with some supporting the ruling while others, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., express concerns about the clarity of the rules. The ruling also affects the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings, with the bubble shifting as a result of Dillon's loss of playoff eligibility. Additionally, penalties were also issued to Joey Logano for his actions during the race.