NASCAR confirms Austin Dillon eligible for All-Star Race after controversial Richmond win in 2024

Austin Dillon’s controversial victory at Richmond Raceway last summer may not have clinched him a spot in the playoffs, but the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race is evidently a different story.

According to FOX’s Bob Pockrass, the Richard Childress Racing wheelman will be eligible to race in the event at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina: “In our rules briefing, NASCAR confirmed Austin Dillon’s win at Richmond does count for eligibility for the all-star race,” Pockrass posted on X.

Of course, Dillon famously won in Virginia, but his playoff eligibility was revoked after he wrecked Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to get to Victory Lane. His appeal was denied, and Dillon and his team certainly didn’t agree with NASCAR’s decision. However, his peers condemned him throughout the process.

At least he’ll receive some benefit for his win. Being a part of the All-Star Race is no small feat, and a win in North Wilkesboro could go a long way for the No. 3 team. As long as Dillon doesn’t wreck anyone to get to the checkered flag first.

Perhaps better times are ahead for Dillon and RCR as a whole. The team took a look in the mirror over the past year, trying to figure out what they’ve been doing wrong. Their team owner believes they’ll come back stronger in 2025, learning from 2024’s mistakes. 

“We see that we’ve got to make some changes,” Richard Childress stated, via Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour. “We’ve got more changes coming that you’re going to hear about in the next month, probably, and we’re excited about next year. You know, you can’t dwell on the past, you’ve got to learn from the past. 

“History teaches you, and that’s what we’ll learn from this year, and take it into next year with a positive attitude.”

Richard Childress Racing was injected with some new life when Kyle Busch joined the team prior to the 2023 campaign, and everything went great at first. However, it hasn’t been smooth sailing since halfway through 2023, but a few wins might’ve changed that perspective, for both the No. 3 and the No. 8 teams.

At least they’ll have the All-Star Race to look ahead to, as Richard Childress Racing will be represented by Austin Dillon, as well as Kyle Busch this time around. Last season, the latter was involved in an altercation with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. that made headlines, so the team will be hoping to keep all of their fireworks on the track in 2025.