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NASCAR driver Austin Dillon has been under immense scrutiny following his controversial win at Richmond Raceway and the subsequent penalty. Richard Childress Racing has filed an appeal to overturn the penalty, but NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi doubts the appeal will be successful.
Austin Dillon pilots the #3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, competing full-time in the Cup Series. Dillon made an aggressive move at Richmond to secure his first win of the season, at the cost of wrecking Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin. In a surprising decision, NASCAR penalized Dillon for his actions by revoking his playoff eligibility, though he was allowed to retain the race victory.
In response, RCR filed an appeal against the penalty levied on their #3 driver. On a recent episode of the Dirty Mo Media podcast, Jordan Bianchi and Jeff Gluck of The Athletic discussed the potential outcome of RCR's appeal. Bianchi expressed his belief that NASCAR will maintain its stance and reject RCR's appeal for Austin Dillon.
"I think RCR going into this would probably be feeling so confident, they feel like they have a good chance right? Since then though, it's kind of gone NASCAR's way and I think reading the room and talking to some folks, the consensus is I would be surprised if this is overturned," Bianchi stated. [2:45]
On being asked for a percentage of the chances RCR has for the appeal playing out in their favor, Bianchi said:
"I would say 10% because I think there is a way you could argue if you're RCR like 'Hey we've seen other moments last lap, other contact that kind of thing where this has been acceptable why is this now not?' I don't know if you can make that case but I think that is the avenue to make that case. But again, I think 90% it's going to go to NASCAR, I think it's heavily tilted towards them." [03:28]
If RCR's appeal is granted, Dillon will automatically secure a playoff spot. However, if NASCAR decides against it, the #3 driver would have to secure a win in the remaining two regular-season races to qualify.
"Hopefully we get back in the playoffs" - Austin Dillon comments on RCR's appeal against NASCAR's penalty
Austin Dillon has remained tight-lipped regarding Richard Childress Racing's ongoing appeal with NASCAR. Dillon was penalized for intentionally wrecking two drivers before securing victory in the Cook Out 400.
NASCAR on NBC recently asked the #3 driver to share his thoughts on the situation. Here's what the 34-year-old said:
"With the current situation, we need to win. Hopefully after our appeal, we get back in the playoffs where we deserve to be and just excited about what we got going on at RCR[...]I've gotta be careful with what I give out right now for the appeal process because it's gonna be like a trial; it really is."
The victory at Richmond marked the end of Dillon's 49-race winless streak, but his playoff eligibility remains uncertain due to the pending appeal.
