NASCAR Makes Massive Statement By Revoking Austin Dillon's Playoff Spot After Controversial Win At Richmond

Following three days of reviewing the footage from the controversial finish at Richmond on Sunday, NASCAR has made the decision to revoke the playoff spot that Austin Dillon thought he secured after winning this past weekend. 

In one of the wildest finishes we've seen in recent history, Austin Dillon floored it going into turn-four on the final lap at Richmond, sending Joey Logano into the wall, then wrecking Denny Hamlin as they came down the frontstretch to the checkered flag. 

Immediately following the race, Logano called it a chicken-sh*t move, while Austin Dillon said he had no regrets about punting both drivers to secure the win and a playoff spot in the process. While the NASCAR community has voiced their frustration over the moves, officials were reviewing the finish, which also entailed listening to in-car audio from the Richard Childress Racing team. 

After Dillon wrecked Logano, a member of the #3 team can be heard telling its driver to wreck Denny Hamlin as they raced to the checkered flag. 

During a session with media members on Wednesday evening, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Elton Sawyer said that the decision to strip Austin Dillon of his playoff spot came down to the integrity of the sport. 

"The No. 1 thing is that we want to make sure that we are protecting the integrity of our playoffs as well as our championship when we get to [the final race at] Phoenix," Elton Sawyer said, according to Bob Pockrass. 

"And we want to make sure that our competitors understand — we want them to make all the decisions, we want them to be able to race hard, that's what our sport has been about for 75 plus years — but we also want them to understand, and I believe that each and every one of them