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Austin Dillon Denies There Was A Plan To Block For William Byron At Martinsville

November 9, 2024  ·
  John Trent

NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon denied there was a coordinated plan or deal to block for William Byron at Martsinville.

William Byron, Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon, and Bubba Wallace via The Daily Downforce on X

During the race at Martinsville on Sunday night, radio communication from Dillon’s team sees Dillon asking about Ross Chastain, “Does he know the deal?”

Speaking with FOX Sports NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass, Dillon denied that the “deal” was a coordinated plan to block for Byron.

He said, “They gave me the point situation. I think I need to clear up one thing, “the deal” was Ross knows what the situation is that what William’s racing for. That needs to be cleared up. There was no other ties to that. It was just the situation. I’m a country boy. That’s the fastest way for me to say situation, is deal.”

When asked if the deal was a plan to block for Byron, Dillon replied, “No. No. I just knew he was coming fast and I didn’t want to get in that. Because I was going to be an a**hole if I passed him or I didn’t.”

Dillon was then asked what’s the line on how hard a driver needs to go to pass somebody. He responded, “Well, another thing in the back of my mind, passing someone, you’ve got to know what their risk level is. What is the gun held at their head at that point? William’s in a position where he’s got a shot, a one point shot, to go to Phoenix. I know what I did to win a race, right? So if I pass him and he dumps me and I ruin my first top ten in five, six weeks, I’m content with where I’m at right there. That’s a great run for us in the position that we are. What is the gain in that for me in putting myself in a predicament to have another bad day?

“Again, there’s a lot you have to be thinking on in that situation,” he concluded.

Austin Dillon via Bob Pockrass on X

NASCAR penalized Dillon and his team for race manipulation. In a post on NASCAR.com, the organization shared, “After an investigation of the on-track data and team scanners from the final laps of Sunday’s Round of 8 elimination race, NASCAR determined the actions of those involved violated sections 4.4.B&D: NASCAR Member Conduct of the Rule Book, which include race manipulation and actions detrimental to stock car racing.”

Next, it declared, “Drivers Ross Chastain (Trackhouse Racing), Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing), and Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing) were each hit with a loss of 50 driver points and a $100,000 fine. In addition, NASCAR also fined the owners of each team $100,000 and deducted 50 owner points each.”

William Byron, Ross Chastain, and Austin Dillon via The Daily Downforce on X

“Crew chiefs Phil Surgen, Justin Alexander and Bootie Barker, along with their respective spotters Brandon McReynolds, Brandon Benesch and Freddie Kraft, were all suspended for the 2024 season finale at Phoenix Raceway,” NASCAR continued. “Additionally, team executives Tony Lunders, Keith Rodden and Dave Rogers were also suspended for the 2024 finale at Phoenix.”

Richard Childress Racing indicated it was going to initially appeal the penalty. It wrote on X, “Richard Childress Racing is disappointed in NASCAR’s penalty against the No. 3 team and plans to appeal.”

However, it eventually withdrew its appeal. Trackhouse and its driver Ross Chastain did appeal, but ended up losing.

Pockrass wrote on X, “Trackhouse loses its appeal to the penalties for race manipulation. RCR has withdrawn its appeal (it would have been a different panel). Trackhouse “We respect the decision and will put the matter behind us. We’re looking forward to a great championship weekend.”

The Appeals Panel which consisted of Kelly Housby, Lyn St. James, and Steve York declared, “We feel in the best interest of racing and to protect the integrity of the sport, it was appropriate to uphold and affirm NASCAR’s decision with regard to the NASCAR rule 4.4, attempting to manipulate the outcome of the race.”

NASCAR.com noted that Trackhouse would not attempt to appeal to the Final Appeals Officer. 23XI Racing had previously announced it would not appeal the penalty.

What do you make of Dillon’s comments?

NEXT: Mark Martin Says Chevy’s Race Manipulation Makes Him Sick, Accuses Ross Chastain And Austin Dillon Of “Low Integrity”

Author: John Trent