Breaking news:Millions of dollars are at risk in an RCR appeal of Austin Dillon’s penalty.

On Friday, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) will appeal the penalty given to driver Austin Dillon for a rear suspension violation discovered during post-race inspection at the NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

If RCR is unsuccessful in their appeal, Dillon could face a points deduction and/or a fine, in addition to the loss of the crew chief and car chief for three races. The team is also fighting to keep the 25 points Dillon earned for finishing sixth at Texas.

The stakes are high for RCR, as the loss of those points could have a significant impact on Dillon’s chances of making the playoffs. Currently, he is in a tie for 16th place in the standings, the final spot for playoff eligibility.

The appeal will be heard at the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, North Carolina, and will be presided over by a three-member panel. RCR will argue that the violation was unintentional and did not provide a competitive advantage, and also cite precedent from similar penalties in the past.

Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, the penalty has already sparked debate within the NASCAR community about the strictness of the inspection process and the impact it has on teams and drivers. Some argue that the penalties are too harsh for minor infractions, while others contend that the rules must be enforced consistently in order to maintain fairness within the sport.

In any case, Friday’s appeal will have significant ramifications for both RCR and Dillon’s postseason hopes.