Michael McDowell retires from NASCAR, making example of Austin Dillon to crack down on erratic behavior

Was NASCAR Right to Impose Harsh Punishment on Austin Dillon and RCR after the last Richmond race? It’s been a hot topic of debate within the NASCAR community since NASCAR decided to revoke Dillon’s automatic playoff qualification after his victory last Sunday.

Typically, governing bodies rely on precedent or past decisions to make their verdict. But this time, they made an example of Austin Dillon, drawing a new line that has now set a new precedent. And if Front Row Motorsports star Michael McDowell is to be believed, the entire Cup Series garage believes NASCAR’s ruling is a step in the right direction for the sport.

McDowell Believes NASCAR Was Right in Decision Regarding Austin Dillon’s Controversial Win

Drivers generally disagree on a number of topics when it comes to NASCAR racing. But it seems most of them weren’t happy with the way the Richmond race ended. It was like a stock car race turned into a demolition derby, and Austin Dillon was the only one calling the shots. He drove Joey Logano into the wall and then hit Denny Hamlin with a right hook, advancing the race to the playoffs.

“So I agree with the decision that they made and the process that they went through. I think we all know what will be penalized and what won’t. But the fact is that everybody watching and all the drivers, I would say, will agree that Sunday’s race was probably too long.McDowell said this via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Elton Sawyer, NASCAR’s senior vice president of racing, explained the reasons that led to this conclusion. He said that racecar drivers know where the line is. Interestingly, McDowell also supported this statement: “I think we all know what will be penalized and what won’t. But the fact is that all spectators and all drivers will agree that Sunday’s race was probably too long.” FRM driver has been added.

Let’s talk about the fine line and the precedent of NASCAR taking away a win; that verdict was indeed monumental. But they have resorted to taking away wins from drivers in the playoff era. Ironically, it was Joey Logano who was behind that decision. Richmond Circuit who saw his playoff hopes slip through his fingers.

Joey Logano Fails to Qualify for 2017 Playoffs After NASCAR Penalty

Call it irony or coincidence, Joey Logano also lost his playoff eligibility while competing in a Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway. That incident occurred in 2017 when the Penske star crossed the finish line first in the spring race at the .750-mile oval. It was Logano’s first win of the 2017 season, but like Austin Dillon, his celebrations were also cut short after a post-race inspection of his race car.

NASCAR decided to strip the Penske star of his automatic playoff qualification, but allowed him to keep the trophy and the victory. In addition, the driver and team were stripped of 25 points. With 16 races remaining in the regular season, Logano was unable to return to winning ways and ultimately missed the playoffs because of the decision made at Richmond.

So it’s fair to say that NASCAR could rely on some sort of previous ruling to hand down a hefty penalty to Austin Dillon and RCR this week.