CONCORD, North Carolina – No, Austin Dillon isn’t a driver in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, but he still put forth a worthy finish in Sunday afternoon’s postponed Bank of America 500.
The Richard Childress Racing driver started the weekend off with his fourth NASCAR XFINITY Series win of the season in the Drive for the Cure 300.
After rain postponed the fourth installment in the playoffs for NASCAR’s top division, Dillon executed well marching from his 14th place starting spot and able to make the necessary changes to earn his fourth top-10 finish of the season.
“We had a really good run today in the Dow GREAT STUFF Chevrolet and I think we could have finished even better if we didn’t have a vibration at the end of the race,” said Dillon. “Still, I’m proud of the team for all of their hard work this weekend. We overcame a lot to earn this finish and I think we’ll be good at Kansas Speedway next weekend, too.”
Unlike two nights ago, Sunday’s race went off without any fireworks.
No pun intended.
During pre-race ceremonies on Friday night, Dillon was nearly struck when a firework came down next to the pole sitter and his girlfriend, Whitney Ward. The firework landed on his backside and burnt the back of his fire suit.
“I was praying with my girlfriend and I think it was a sign from God,” Dillon said after the race. He said, “you’re getting ready to have a good night or something.’ Get your butt in gear.”
Even though Dillon couldn’t capitalize from running a race-high fifth, the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing team still had cause for celebration, as Dillon’s program has seem to turn the corner from mid-packers to top-10 competitors, especially since Richard “Slugger” Labbe joined the team as crew chief earlier this summer.
With just six races remaining in the Cup season, Dillon’s team is focused on building on the performances even more, but yet still hopeful for the opportunity to return Richard Childress Racing back to Victory Lane.
The DOW-sponsored drivers moves ahead to Kansas Speedway next, where the 25-year-old finished 22nd in the spring.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
