The National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld the penalty levied against the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing team after a last-lap incident Aug. 11 at Richmond Raceway. However, the panel did reduce the suspension for No. 3 team spotter Brandon Benesch from three races to one.
Austin Dillon made contact with Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin in the final turns en route to his win at the Virginia short track. The panel agreed with NASCAR’s ruling that the totality of Dillon’s actions were significant enough to warrant penalties; the win stands, but the benefits from the win — namely eligibility for the Cup Series Playoffs — were revoked.
The penalty concerns Sections 4.4.B NASCAR Member Code of Conduct Penalty Options and Guidelines; 10.1.A General Procedure; 12.3.2.1.B Eligibility. Benesch was cited for violating 4.4.D and 10.1.A.
Dillon and the No. 3 team were also docked 25 points in the drivers’ and owners’ standings in the penalty handed down Aug. 14.
The appeals panel, consisting of Tom DeLoach, Kelly Housby and Tommy Wheeler, reached the decision with the following explanation: “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.”
Richard Childress Racing released the following statement: “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.”
Source: NASCAR.com
