"Everybody at RCR deserves to be at playoffs" - Austin Dillon on fighting NASCAR’s Richmond penalty

Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon is confident about regaining his playoff spot after NASCAR stripped his playoff eligibility following his victory at Richmond Raceway. Dillon wrecked Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final lap of the Cook Out 400, to win the race.

NASCAR penalized Dillon for the last-lap contact, stating that his victory would not make him eligible for the playoffs. The #3 Chevy team was also docked 25 points in the drivers and owners' standings. In response, Richard Childress Racing announced its plans to appeal the penalties issued against Dillon and the team.

Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, Dillon opened up his mindset for the remaining three races and the appeal process. Dillon was ecstatic with the team's upturn in performance but emphasized that he remains focused on winning a race in the coming weeks.

Speaking to the media at Michigan International Speedway, the 34-year-old expressed confidence in a favorable outcome for their appeal, asserting that RCR deserves a playoff berth. Here's what he told Bob Pockrass:

"I won a race last week, from where we were in 32nd in points, I'm pretty freaking happy! Right now my mindset is to go win another race because of the current ruling that NASCAR came down with. The focus this weekend is to just win at Michigan and the next focus would be the appeal, because everybody at RCR deserves to be in the playoffs. And we will do our best to show our position in that."

"I feel pretty good about it... the appeal process isn't easy, but we'll do a good job on our side to try and cover all of our basis and see what the outcome really is," he added.

Richard Childress Racing's appeal will be heard by the National Motorsports Appeals Panel, with Dillon confirming a set appeal date without providing specifics. The team now sits in 31st place in the standings following NASCAR's decision.

---

Austin Dillon opens up about his relationship with Denny Hamlin

The #3 Richard Childress Racing driver, Austin Dillon, revealed that he hasn't spoken with longtime friend Denny Hamlin since the incident at Richmond Raceway. Dillon was scheduled to play basketball with Hamlin and the group last Thursday but didn't show up for the game.

Dillon continues to harbor respect for Hamlin, acknowledging the veteran Joe Gibbs Racing driver's gamesmanship. Here's what he said in the aforementioned interview:

"I respect his [Denny Hamlin] tactfulness and his brain when it comes to competition and how he portrays himself. He does a very good job in his gamesmanship, so I've enough respect for Denny. I think he plays the game well and in the end, this is a game, this is a sport. So I've got to do the same thing right now with my approach."

According to NASCAR reporter Matt Weaver, Hamlin believes Dillon was put in a rough spot at Richmond Raceway and didn't throw any shade on the #3 RCR driver.