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Dillon fell afoul of the rule that states "race
finishes must be unencumbered by violations of the NASCAR rules
or other actions detrimental to stock car auto racing or NASCAR,
as determined in the sole discretion of NASCAR."
Driving the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, Dillon
took out both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin in the final lap in
order to win the Cup Series race. Dillon later said he "did what
(he) had to do."
"That's not the way we want to decide a champion. That's not the
way we want to decide an event," NASCAR senior vice president of
competition Elton Sawyer said at the time.
NASCAR decided to let Dillon keep the win and the prize money
from the race but was stripped of the playoff berth he had
clinched. Dillon and Childress were docked 25 points in the
drivers' and owners' standings.
Dillon's spotter, Brandon Benesch, was suspended for three races
for telling Dillon to "wreck him," speaking of Hamlin. Benesch's
suspension was reduced from three races to one upon appeal.
Technically, Dillon still has a path to the playoffs. He will
earn a spot in the 16-man field if he wins this Sunday at
Darlington Raceway. Dillon currently sits No. 29 in the points
race.
--Field Level Media [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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