Austin Dillon's Richmond Win Won't Count for NASCAR Playoff Berth After Logano Crash

NASCAR has taken away Austin Dillon's automatic playoff berth following his win at Richmond on Sunday after deeming that he violated NASAR rules during the Cook Out 400, which saw the No. 3 car intentionally spin out Joey Logano and then Denny Hamlin into the wall before crossing the finish line.

NASCAR.com content manager Zack Albert relayed the news from NASCAR officials on Wednesday.

"After a full review of footage and data, NASCAR officials ruled Dillon's victory would stand, but that his automatic berth in the 16-driver postseason field would be voided for violating 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.'"

NASCAR senior vice president of competition Elton Sawyer provided more insight into the decision.

"I think in all due respect to the appeal process, we looked at this and the totality of everything that happened as you enter Turn 3 and as the cars got to the start/finish line," Sawyer said.

"So, as we look through all of that data, we came to the conclusion that a line had been crossed. Our sport has been based going for many, many years, forever, on good, hard racing. Contact has been acceptable. We felt like, in this case, that the line was crossed."

In addition, the No. 3 team's spotter, Brandon Benesch, has been suspended for three Cup Series races. Per Albert, Benesch told Dillon to "wreck" then-leader Hamlin down the stretch, which the No. 3 car did to earn the win.

Dillon entered Sunday 32nd in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with four races to go before the 16-team playoffs, so he needed a win, which would grant him a coveted automatic playoff berth.

And in the closing stretch, he decided to do whatever it took.

"I don't know man, it's been two years and this is the first car I've had a shot to win," Dillon said on NBC post-race (h/t Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg). "I felt like with two to go, we were the fastest car ... I hate to do that but sometimes you just got to have it. I have to thank the good Lord above. It's been tough over the last two years, man. I care about [Richard Childress Racing], my wife, and this is my first ... it means a lot. I hate it, but I had to do it."

Dillon drivers for Richard Childress Racing, run by his grandfather, Richard Childress. It's clear the team was on the same page with Dillon's actions.

But NASCAR has ultimately decreed that Dillon's actions shall cost him a playoff spot.

Logano was clearly infuriated post-race, as evidenced by his comments to NBC.

"Obviously he didn't make the turn because he hit me and the [Denny Hamlin] was going to win the race," Logano said. "...I've beaten him fair and square in the restart and he just pulls a chicken s--t move. He's a piece of crap. He sucks. He's sucked his whole career. And now he's going to be in the playoff. Good for him, I guess."

Logano later spun out his tires near Dillon's pit crew in very close proximity to people standing on pit road. NASCAR deemed it a violation of its Member Code of Conduct and fined him $50,000. Jackson Didlake of the Richmond Times-Dispatch provided video.

Dillon can still qualify for the playoffs but now needs a win in one of the regular season's final three races, which will take place in Michigan, Daytona Beach and Darlington. He is currently 31st in the standings.

Logano has already qualified for the playoffs by virtue of his win at the Ally 400 in Nashville Superspeedway. Hamlin, who has three wins and sits fourth in the standings, has as well.

The Cup Series now moves to the Michigan International Speedway on Sunday for the FireKeepers Casino 400.