“It’s like a trial” - Austin Dillon proceeding with caution amid RCR’s appeal against NASCAR’s penalty 

Austin Dillon resorted to a rather reserved tone while talking to the media about the penalty that NASCAR had levied on him following last Sunday's (August 11) race at Richmond Raceway. According to the Richard Childress Racing driver, he is yet to disclose his side of the story.

Dillon wrecked Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin during the last lap of last week's Cook Out 400, en route to his team's first win of the season. Two days later, NASCAR penalized Dillon for bumping his fellow racers on purpose. The Chevy star got to keep his win, but that win would not give him an automatic ticket to this year's playoffs.

Richard Childress Racing has appealed to NASCAR to revoke the penalty. As the No. 3 team awaits NASCAR's decision, NASCAR on NBC grabbed an opportunity to interview Austin Dillon.

"With the current situation, we need to win," Dillon told the reporter. "Hopefully after our appeal, we get back in the playoffs where we deserve to be and just excited about what we got going on at RCR."

"Truthfully the best thing that I think I can say right now is we've got an appeal process. I think this entire sport...I've gotta be careful with what I give out right now for the appeal process because it's gonna be like a trial; it really is," he added.

Austin Dillon was also docked 25 points and his spotter Brandon Benesch received a three-race ban for allegedly radioing the words 'wreck him' to Dillon as Hamlin veered to his left in an attempt to grab the lead, seconds before the finishing line.

Austin Dillon remains optimistic about RCR's appeal process

Austin Dillon during qualifying at Brickyard 400 (Source: Imagn)

Although Austin Dillon did not reveal how the No. 3 team was handling the appeal process, he seemed positive about the outcome. Official reports state the appeal will be heard at the NASCAR Research & Development Center on Wednesday, August 21.

Furthermore, Dillon pointed out that he had still not given his side of the story.

"I haven't really given my entire story of the game yet," Dillon told reporters. "I feel like Denny (Hamlin) did a really good job in his podcast giving his side of the story... admittedly this week... a couple extra podcasts than he normally does. I also listened to his podcast when he talked about the appeal process and how tough it is."

"I'm gonna do my best," Dillon concluded. "From there, I will get all the media and everybody else my exact feelings after that's all said and done."

Austin Dillon stands 31st in the NASCAR Cup standings with 319 points. Unfortunately, he is out of the playoff picture and needs to win to make this year's playoff rumble.

The 34-year-old speedster will start 10th in this week's Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway. Qualifying has been canceled due to weather and Denny Hamlin will start from P1 alongside 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick.