Austin Dillon loses first appeal to Richmond penalty, remains out of playoffs

A three-member NASCAR appeals panel Wednesday denied the appeal of Austin Dillon, who remains without a playoff berth despite a victory Aug. 11 at Richmond Raceway.

Dillon won the race following a last-lap incident where he turned Joey Logano and then hooked Denny Hamlin to take the checkered flag and what he thought was an automatic playoff berth that goes with a regular-season win.

Three days later, the Richard Childress Racing driver still had the trophy and the winner's check but not much else as NASCAR revoked the automatic playoff berth. Dillon was also docked 25 points in the standings and his spotter, Brandon Benesch, was suspended for three races. Benesch's suspension was reduced to one race, and he already has served it as he missed last week's race at Michigan.

NASCAR rules allow for that decision as the playoff eligibility requirements state: "Race finishes must be unencumbered by violation(s) of the NASCAR Rules or other action(s) detrimental to stock car auto racing or NASCAR as determined in the sole discretion of NASCAR."

The appeals panel determined the rule was applicable to this situation.

"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," the panel said in a statement.

Hearing the appeal were former NASCAR truck team owner Tom DeLoach, former racing engineer Tommy Wheeler and transportation equipment company executive Kelly Housby.

RCR and Dillon will take the case to Final Appeal Officer Bill Mullis, the owner of Langley (Va.) Speedway. He is expected to hear the final appeal within the next week.

"Richard Childress Racing is disappointed in the results of