The start of the NASCAR season is just over one week away, but Richard Childress still has something to say about 2024. He is not going to get over the penalties issued to him after the summer trip to Richmond Raceway.
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"That deal in Richmond cost us over $3 million," Childress said during an appearance on "The Dale Jr. Download" podcast.
Last season, Austin Dillon won at Richmond in overtime and punched his ticket to the playoffs. However, NASCAR took away Dillon's postseason eligibility and penalized him for contact with Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin which led to both drivers wrecking on the final lap.
NASCAR stated that Dillon violated Section 12.3.2.1.b of the NASCAR Rule Book, which says that race wins must be unencumbered by violations of rules or by actions detrimental to stock car auto racing. Along with negating the postseason eligibility, NASCAR took away 25 driver points and 25 owner points.
Richard Childress isn't over what happened in Richmond - and he won't ever be. 😤
This episode is packed with big moments ... and it's out right now!
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Instead of making the playoffs and finishing at least 16th in points, Dillon ended the year 32nd. This was the difference of millions of dollars for the team based on final charter payouts for the season.
"All the things that's ever happened in our career, the Richmond race I'll never get over that one," Childress said. "'Cause I've seen it happen so many times and the same two guys (who were) involved in it are the two biggest culprits.
"But it come down to who had the most power that could get in NASCAR's ear."
Richard Childress Racing appealed the penalties issued to Dillon and the No. 3 team. The team first met with the Appeals Panel, which mostly upheld NASCAR's original ruling.
The only change was reducing spotter Brandon Benesch's suspension from three races to only one. Benesch had made comments over the radio that included yelling "wreck him" when Dillon raced next to Hamlin.
RCR then moved to Final Appeal Officer Bill Mullis. The Final Appeal Officer upheld all penalties while writing that the data provided indicated that "more likely than not" a rule violation occurred at Richmond Raceway.
With Mullis ruling in NASCAR's favor, the case was complete. RCR had no other options beyond accepting the ruling and moving forward. That doesn't mean Childress will ever get over it.
