The Future of NASCAR Is Austin Dillon

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NASCAR has seen drivers dominate different eras. From 1967-1979, NASCAR was dominated by Richard Petty who won six Winston Cup Championships. The 1980’s and 1990’s was the era that belonged to Dale Earnhardt Sr. as he won seven Winston Cup Titles. Since 2006, Jimmie Johnson and his No. 48 car have dominated the scene as he has won six Sprint Cup Championships. Johnson doesn’t appear ready to surrender his throne as NASCAR’s king, but there could be an heir apparent coming down the pike in 23-year old Austin Dillon.

Dillon is a 23-year old native of Welcome, North Carolina who was born into a racing family. His father Mike Dillon was a former NASCAR driver while his grandfather Richard Childress heads Richard Childress Racing. 
Dillon has spent that past few years honing his craft on the Nationwide Series which was highlighted by him winning the Nationwide Series Title last year.
Dillon will enter this season not being a stranger to Sprint Cup Series action. Dillon’s first Sprint Cup Series race was back in 2011 when he participated in the Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Motor Speedway. Dillon started 26th and finished in the same spot in his first rodeo on the big stage. Dillon was thrust into the NASCAR spotlight last season when he participated in the Daytona 500. Dillon started 8th and finished 31st overall. 
Dillon spent the majority of 2013 on the Nationwide Series, but after winning the series title last season, he appears ready to make the leap with the big boys.
Dillon is a cowboy hat wearing, country boy that has a swagger about him. Dillon will be racing in the No.3 car this season and he will be the first driver to race in that car since Earnhardt Sr. was killed in 2001. Dillon has the backing of another North Carolina native in Dale Earnhardt Jr. to use the number.

Dillon is busy prepping for the 2014 Daytona 500 which will take place in about five weeks. With testing currently going on at Daytona International Speedway, Dillon’s car is nearing 200 miles per hour around the track which shows that he is more than ready.

With the likes of Johnson, Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth more than likely going into the Daytona 500 as prohibitive favorites, Dillon will look to hang with these drivers while showing his worth. The NASCAR season is a long one and Dillon must become accustomed to the long haul that will span from February to November. Gil Martin was the former crew chief for Kevin Harvick and now he’ll be entrusted with guiding the young Dillon. Dillon is a logical candidate to be NASCAR’s Rookie of the Year for 2014 and bigger trophies such as the Sprint Cup Series Championship won’t be that far away either for him.

Source: FOXSports.com, RCRRacing.com

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By | 2016-04-13T11:12:27+00:00 January 15th, 2014|Categories: Auto Racing|0 Comments

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