Austin Dillon removed from NASCAR playoffs

Winner for the first time in two years, Dillon emerged in controversy on the night from Sunday to Monday, for the return of the NASCAR after the Olympic truce. While he was at the front and on course for victory, a spin by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (JTG Daugherty Racing) caused a neutralization and an “overtime” procedure. The race was therefore extended, and it was Joey Logano who took the best of the restart. Dillon, absolutely wanting to win to get into the playoffs, then hit Logano's Ford in turn 3, sending him into a spin, before hitting Denny Hamlin at the right rear while returning towards the finish line, to win.

The victory therefore allowed Austin Dillon to access one of the sixteen places reserved in the end-of-season playoffs, but this Wednesday NASCAR decided to penalize him for these actions. If he keeps his victory in his statistics, an American tradition that has little taste for having a different winner several days after the race, compared to the one the fans saw cross the line first, he will not is now no longer eligible for the playoffs, and falls to 31st position in the championship. There are only three races left before the playoffs kick off, so Dillon must win one of these if he wants to be able to challenge for the title in September.

Fine for Logano

Brandon Benesch, Austin Dillon's spotter, was suspended for the next three races, for having indicated to his driver "crash him", once Hamlin was alongside the No. 3 Chevrolet. The relationship between a driver and his spotter is essential in NASCAR, the spotter being in a way the eyes of the driver, allowing him to have a complete understanding of what is happening around him. Dillon was also penalized 25 championship points.

Joey Logano was fined $50, not for what happened on the track, but for his reaction in the pit lane. The Penske driver actually performed a burnout in the pitlane, just in front of Austin Dillon's box, where part of his family and his team had gathered to celebrate the American's victory. Logano was therefore found guilty of endangering people in the stands, including a person who was holding a baby in his arms.

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