DARLINGTON, S.C. — Richard Childress, a veteran NASCAR team owner with 55 years of experience, voiced his discontent over NASCAR’s recent decision that revoked Austin Dillon’s playoff berth, claiming it has forever altered the nature of NASCAR racing. Speaking ahead of Cup practice at Darlington Raceway, Childress expressed profound disappointment, labeling the financial impact as the “largest fine ever in NASCAR history.”
Childress’s frustration stems from NASCAR’s ruling regarding Dillon’s controversial win at Richmond on August 11. During that race, Dillon made contact with Joey Logano and then with Denny Hamlin in the final laps, securing the victory. Normally, a win would guarantee a spot in the 16-driver playoff field, provided the season does not feature more than 16 different winners. However, NASCAR decided to revoke Dillon’s playoff spot under a rule that mandates wins must be free of violations and actions detrimental to the sport.
Richard Childress Racing (RCR) initially appealed the decision, but their appeal was denied by a NASCAR-appointed board on August 20, and a subsequent appeal to NASCAR’s final appeal officer was also rejected on August 25. The NASCAR rulebook grants NASCAR “sole discretion” in determining what constitutes detrimental actions and rule violations, including penalties for driver contact.
NASCAR President Steve Phelps defended the decision in an appearance on FOX Sports’ “Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour” podcast. Phelps argued that not penalizing Dillon would have led to significant issues in the coming weeks. “We just can’t have it,” Phelps said. “What do you want your sport to be? We’re not a demolition derby; we are a sport that needs to maintain certain standards.”
Both Logano and Hamlin criticized the ruling, asserting that Dillon’s actions were intentional wrecks, a sentiment echoed by other drivers who suggested they would not have made similar moves. In response, Childress contended that Dillon’s actions were not excessively aggressive. “The drivers now, they know where a line is, or they think they do,” Childress said. “If you go in a car length – two-and-three-quarters was exactly how far back he was [of Logano], and the other car slows down 3 miles an hour on the last lap, you’re going to bump a little to get [him] up the racetrack. Is that over now?”
Childress’s comments highlight the ongoing debate over NASCAR’s regulatory practices and their impact on the sport’s competitive landscape.
