Dale Earnhardt Jr. supports RCR's fight against NASCAR's horrendous penalty

Following the Cup Series race at Richmond, where Austin Dillon took an unexpected victory after hitting rivals Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano on the final corner, NASCAR's response has raised questions among stakeholders. The racing organization stripped Dillon's No. 3 team, owned by Richard Childress Racing, of its automatic playoff spot, citing the aggressive approach that led to his victory.

RCR immediately reacted with disappointment to this decision and appealed NASCAR's decision.

However, their efforts hit a roadblock when the National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld the original penalty. Undeterred, RCR took its case to a higher court and filed an appeal to challenge the panel's decision.

With this in mind, racing icon Dale Earnhardt Jr. has expressed his support for RCR's persistent efforts to overturn the penalty. Earnhardt Jr., known for his extensive experience in the sport, expressed his perspective on the situation.

“I think Austin and his team are going to make a great case. I don't think they're wasting their time, I don't think what they're going to bring to the table and show the board is stupid,” he explained.

Earnhardt's comments reinforce his belief that RCR is not just fighting a losing battle out of stubbornness, but is driven by genuine conviction for its cause.

“I honestly feel like they believe what they're telling them. Austin and his team aren't sitting here with these stats and saying, 'Yeah, look at this guy, he's OK.'

“They're not lying, they're not trying to be nefarious or anything like that.

“They are adamant that they didn't do it and that they have the data to prove it,” he explained.

Although Earnhardt Jr. supports RCR's right to appeal, he has concerns about the chances of success:

“That's why I agree with their appeal, I just don't think they will win. The problem with that is that it's a discretionary decision, whereas most appeals are about a technical part, an inspection process, a mistake somewhere that a team encountered, intentionally or inadvertently, during the technical inspections before or after the race.”

The outcome of this appeal will have a major impact on RCR's season, while also setting an important precedent for the discretionary debate in the future of stock car racing. In addition, race predictions are heating up for the upcoming Coke 400 at Daytona, where Kevin Harick has picked Bubba Wallace, so the NASCAR season continues to promise high excitement and great racing.