Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, addressed the team’s decision to appeal the penalty imposed after the Richmond race. Dillon was docked 60 driver points and five playoff points, while crew chief Keith Rodden received a two-race suspension for a rear windshield assembly violation found during post-race inspection. The penalty significantly impacted Dillon’s playoff chances, leaving him in a difficult spot heading into the final regular-season races.
Dillon explained that the team was appealing the penalty because they believed it was inconsistent with how similar incidents had been handled in the past. He cited other NASCAR cases where teams received lighter penalties or none at all for comparable infractions. According to Dillon, the team’s understanding of the situation was that the rear windshield assembly issue was not an intentional attempt to gain an advantage but rather an unintentional mistake.
Dillon emphasized the importance of fairness and consistency in NASCAR’s rule enforcement, expressing frustration with what he perceives as a lack of uniformity in penalties. He believes that the team has a strong case and is hopeful that the appeal will result in a reduction or overturning of the penalty. Dillon also noted that the team had reviewed the car thoroughly before the race and did not expect any issues.
The appeal is crucial for Dillon, who is fighting for a playoff spot in a highly competitive field. With limited races left in the regular season, every point counts, and the outcome of the appeal could have significant implications for his championship hopes.
The final decision on the appeal will be made by NASCAR’s appeals panel.