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NASCAR's decision to strip Austin Dillon of his playoff spot after a controversial win at Richmond has sparked debates about where the sport draws the line on intentional wrecking.
Dillon entered the Richmond race 32nd in points and needed a win to make the playoffs. On the final lap, the 34-year-old made a desperate move, spinning out Joey Logano and crashing Denny Hamlin into the wall. Dillon won the race, but NASCAR subsequently stripped him of his playoff spot and suspended his spotter for three races.
This was not the first time the association stepped in. Here are five instances of NASCAR taking action against drivers for intentional wrecking:
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Martinsville Speedway in 2015
Matt Kenseth sought revenge against Joey Logano at Martinsville during the 2015 playoffs. Logano had previously spun out Kenseth at Kansas Speedway. In retaliation, Kenseth intentionally drove Logano into the wall at the start of the next round in Martinsville.
NASCAR penalized Kenseth with a two-race suspension, ending his 15-year streak of consecutive races. The incident also eliminated Kenseth's playoff chances for that season.
Texas Motor Speedway in 2022
William Byron made contact with Denny Hamlin under caution at Texas Motor Speedway in 2022. Hamlin then chased Byron under the caution flag but managed to remain calm.
NASCAR initially penalized Byron with a 25-point deduction and a $50,000 fine. However, after an appeal, the points penalty was overturned, and the fine was increased to $100,000.
Las Vegas in 2022
Kyle Larson pushed Bubba Wallace into the wall at the Las Vegas playoff race in 2022. Wallace then took revenge by crashing both cars into the wall. The incident sparked a lot of tension and even led to a post-race altercation.
NASCAR issued Wallace a one-race suspension, the first for on-track contact since 2015, ending his playoff chances.
NASCAR Cup Series points race Coca-Cola 600 in 2023
Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin crashed at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2023. Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota made contact with Elliott's car, sending him into the wall. In retaliation, Elliott steered into Hamlin's car. NASCAR subsequently suspended Elliott for one race.
Phoenix Raceway in 2023
After a heated 2022 season, the feud between Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin continued into 2023. Hamlin intentionally wrecked Chastain during an overtime restart at the Cup Series race in Phoenix. The No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota made contact with Chastain towards the wall on the penultimate lap of the race.
Hamlin admitted to the incident on his podcast, "Actions Detrimental." Although NASCAR initially refrained from penalizing Hamlin, his public confession resulted in a 25-point deduction and a $50,000 fine.
