NASCAR Cup Series
No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Hit With L1 Penalty Following Martinsville
Apr 19, 2023
On Tuesday, Richard Childress Racing had a chance to appeal an L1 penalty that the team incurred following the April 16th event at Martinsville Speedway. Unfortunately, for the No. 3 team, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld the penalties levied by the sanctioning body.
The Appeals Panel concluded that the RCR team was in violation of Sections 14.1.C, E & Q, which pertains to Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules, and Sections 14.6.1.A & B of the NASCAR Cup Series rule book, which pertains to the Underwing Assembly Mounting. As a result, the panel upheld the 60 driver and owner point deductions for Austin Dillon and the No. 3 team, as well as the five driver and owner Playoff Point deductions.
The $75,000 fine and two-race suspension for crew chief Keith Rodden were also upheld.
The three Appeals Panel Members that heard the Richard Childress Racing case were Mr. J. Kirk Russell, Mr. Lake Speed, and Mr. Kevin Whitaker.
After the first 11 races of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, Austin Dillon sits 31st in the NASCAR Cup Series driver standings, and likewise, the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ranks 31st in the owner standings.
Fortunately, for the driver and team, NASCAR eliminated the requirement of being inside the top 30 of the point standings as an eligibility requirement for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs for the 2023 season. All it will take for Dillon and his team to reverse their fortunes this year is to win a race.
Photo by Andrew Coppley/HHP for Chevy Racing