NASCAR revokes Austin Dillon's automatic playoff berth over Richmond finish

In a stunning move, NASCAR has revoked Austin Dillon's automatic berth into the 16-driver NASCAR Cup Series playoff field for his moves on the final lap Sunday 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.

NASCAR will not strip Dillon of the win, but it won't allow him to use the win for an automatic playoff berth. Dillon was also docked 25 points in the standings and his spotter, Brandon Benesch, was suspended for three races.

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."

NASCAR also issued a $50,000 fine to Logano for smoking his tires as he drove by Dillon's crew and family on pit road following the race. Logano said he will not appeal the fine.

RCR will appeal the penalty, and any decision by NASCAR's appeals panel would be made before the regular-season finale Sept. 1 at Darlington.

"Richard Childress Racing is very disappointed in NASCAR’s penalty against the No. 3 team," the team said in a statement. "We do not agree with the decision that was made and plan to appeal."

NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Elton Sawyer, choosing his words carefully and not going into specifics in order to keep anything he said from being used against NASCAR in the appeals process, said the totality of Dillon’s move from Turn 3 to the finish resulted in the penalty.

"The No. 1 thing is that we want to make sure