CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Austin Dillon’s overly aggressive victory at Richmond Raceway won’t land him a spot in the Cup Series playoffs. A NASCAR appeal officer on Monday upheld the sanctioning body’s decision to revoke Dillon’s automatic postseason berth that came with his controversial win at Richmond on Aug. 11. Dillon intentionally wrecked Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano coming out of the final turn to take the checkered flag for his first victory in two years. Three days later, NASCAR announced that Dillon’s victory “crossed a line.” Richard Childress Racing appealed. A NASCAR “final appeal officer” upheld the penalties and said race data indicated “that more likely than not a rule violation did occur.”
