Austin Dillion wins Richmond, but penalties loom as Larson remains P1 in Rankings

11 August 2024
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News

RICHMOND, VA — (Editor’s note: This story was updated after the Richmond Penalty Report issued by NASCAR on August 14, 2023.)

We thought the storyline coming out of Richmond would be about the “soft” tire option that enabled Daniel Suarez to drive through the field and take the lead during Stage 1. However, as exciting as the new tire option was for strategy, Austin Dillion's final lap aggression for the win, which resulted in collisions with both Joey Lognao and Denny Hamlin, became the buzz of the race and the week while NASCAR officials determined if Dillion’s fate as well as Logano’s for actions on pit road following the race.

It’s Dillon’s first win (fifth of his career) since he won the final regular-season race of 2022 at Daytona International Speedway.

*UPDATE* Dillion’s win stands but the automatic berth in the 16-driver postseason field was voided

NASCAR officials ruled Wednesday that Austin Dillon’s win at Richmond Raceway of Sunday’s Cook Out 400 stands but would not count toward eligibility for the Cup Series Playoffs.

Section 12.3.2.1.b of the NASCAR Rule Book, which deals with playoff eligibility and states: “Race finishes must be unencumbered by violation(s) of the NASCAR Rules or other action(s) detrimental to stock car auto racing or NASCAR as determined in the sole discretion of NASCAR.”

The №3 team was also docked 25 points in both the drivers’ and owners’ standings, dropping Dillon from 26th to 31st. Officials also indicated that the rescinded playoff eligibility for Sunday’s win applies to both the drivers’ and owners’ championship.

Go Full Throttle Top 25 NASCAR AI Driver Rankings following the Cook Out 400 on August 11, 2024 at Richmond Raceway (Image Credit: GFT Digital)

Hamlin, Bell, and Reddick continue to chase Kyle Larson who remains P1 in the rankings with 4 wins.

GFT NASCAR BOX SCORES

Go Full Throttle NASCAR Cup Series Box Scores following the Cook Out 400 on August 11, 2024 at Richmond Raceway (Image Credit: GFT Digital)

After 23 Races …
Manufactures Box Score:
Chevrolet = 11
Toyota = 7
Ford = 5

Team Box Score:
Hendrick Motorsports = 9

Driver Box Score:
Kyle Larson = 4 wins

NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFF PICTURE

Chris Buescher is now on the bubble, but Ross Chastain is P17 and actually tied with him (at +0).

Next Race

FireKeepers Casino 400
Sunday, Aug. 18–2:30 PM ET
Michigan International Speedway

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