Richard Childress considered legal action for Austin Dillon NASCAR penalty from Richmond
The last month has been a wild ride for Richard Childress Racing. Austin Dillon was hit hard by NASCAR penalties after Richmond. Now that the appeals are over, Childress has opened up about his feelings on the matter.
Austin Dillon kept his win from Richmond. However, he had his playoff eligibility taken because of the reckless manner in which he won that race. Wrecking two cars in the final two turns was a bit too much for NASCAR to stomach.
After failing both appeals, Richard Childress is disappointed in the process.
“It was over a million dollars to us is what it boils down to, largest fine ever in NASCAR,” Childress explained to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “I’m just disappointed, disappointed, disappointed, is all I can say. When I write my book, that will be a chapter in it, on second thought I might write a second book and publish it will be, ’60 Years of NASCAR’ after I’m gone.”
Pockrass asked if Childress had thought about legal action. They did have attorneys look at the case, but decided against going to court. Childress feels like they would have won in court, though.
“No. If it was a legal case, we have had attorneys look at both sides of it, there’s no way we would have lost,” Childress said.
Richard Childress did not officially get fined $1M
As far as the fine goes, Richard Childress is half-right. NASCAR did not officially fine RCR $1,000,000. However, if Dillon was in the playoffs, he would finish the season no worse than 16th overall. That would have put them in place to receive more money at the end of the season for their overall position.
Now Dillon will likely not crack the top-25 on the season in points. The difference between where he is in 28th right now and where he would have been in 16th (at least), it’s a lot of money lost.
Darlington gives RCR another opportunity. Two opportunities, really. Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch both need a win to make the playoffs. Darlington is not necessarily the best place to try and steal a win, though.
Richard Childress Racing is going to be fine. They will have to swallow this penalty and try their best to move on. At this point, one has to think this organization is going to start to focus on the 2025 season and how they add speed to these Chevys.