Via Bob Pockrass
FOX Sports NASCAR writer
William Byron won Thursday’s appeal with a 25-point penalty NASCAR release later Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 25 at the Texas Motor Speedway, putting him in a much better position to advance to the semifinals of the Cup Series playoffs.
The appeals board increased Byron’s fine from $50,000 to $100,000 but rescinded the points penalty, which had a huge impact on the playoffs. The three-member NASCAR appeals panel did not provide a reason for the penalty change – according to standard procedure – but team owner Rick Hendrick did say the 25-point penalty was excessive for Byron to spin. Denny Hamlin be careful in Texas
Byron has gone from 10th place in the standings with 11 points below the cut-off line to seventh in the leaderboard and 14 points above the line entering. Charlotte Motor Expressway Sunday’s road race where 12 drivers still qualify for the championship will be cut to eight.
Related: NASCAR Elimination Scenario: What Every Driver Needs to Advance at Charlotte
The four riders who do not win the round and have the lowest score will be eliminated from the race for the championship.
Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe were forced into eighth place in the standings before the penalty, and now they are 12 points behind Daniel Suárezcurrently sitting in eighth, the last transfer position. Christopher Bell going from 33 points below the limit line to 45 points below, making what was already a win-win situation even more important.
But the change doesn’t just affect those below the line. It also affects those above the line as they will have to do to win the spot no matter what anyone else does.
Ryan Blaney can get 35 points (second-place finish instead of no race points) – the only driver entering the race with a finish can automatically lead him with no race points.
Ross Chastain will need 40 points. Hamlin will need 47 points. Joey Logano and Kyle Larson will need 50 points. They won’t know a place where they can get it done and don’t worry about what other people do until after the second Sunday.
Byron was initially fined for filming Hamlin being warned in Texas. NASCAR did not penalize Byron during the race, and officials said they later noticed Martin Truex Jr.car’s (cause of caution) and didn’t realize that Byron had turned Hamlin.
Byron and Hendrick Motorsports argue that the penalty is too harsh for what it means to mean a bumper touch isn’t designed to spin someone out. If Byron gets to the bottom of the field or can land a lap or two, he has a chance to win points (and points) before the race is over. If he is parked to move, he loses 23 points.
“They could have put him in the back,” team owner Rick Hendrick said Sunday. “I don’t know why they waited and did nothing. He didn’t mean to shoot him. He was going to hit him, but William had a pretty clear track record.
“I think 25 points in the knockout round, that’s pretty outrageous.”
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