Richard Childress’ grandson tries to live up to family name
Austin Dillon is considered to be the next racing superstar. And why not? When your the grandson of Richard Childress a lot is expected. But for Dillon being in a family known all over the racing world adds some pressure. But its that pressure that makes him want to win. “The thing is is that I have great people around me,” Dillon said. “Very fortunate for the situation that I am in to be racing with a good company in RCR and have my Grandfather and dad pushing me. They know what racing is about. They know the struggles and its a lot of fun and we enjoy racing.” From the time he could walk Austin was around racing. And that’s where some of his fondest memories are from. “Late model races in Hickory North Carolina,” Dillon said. “My dad ran late models around there. Just being a little guy hanging out in victory lane with him and doing stuff like that.” Its those early memories at dirt tracks that has him in West Tennessee at Clay Hill Motorsports. When hes not racing in the Truck or Nationwide Series he likes to get back to his roots. “I love running dirt late models,” Dillon said. “Its something I love to do when I’m off my truck and nationwide schedule. Its fun to get experience at different tracks. Ive never been here before and am looking forward to it.” Even though Dillon isn’t a dirt track regular he still prepares for every race the way he would when hes on the big tracks. “The biggest thing is that the driver has to get it done at the end of the night and that’s what we love about it,” Dillon said. “We get to slide sideways and traction is a big issue. Your chasing the track all night. It really teaches you how to move around and be sideways.” Although there aren’t any big names in the dirt track world, for Dillon he knows in order to race here he has to be at his best. “These guys out in the Dirt world are some of the toughest competition I race against even in the trucks,” Dillon said. “I compare those guys every week because their good in their series. I just love coming out here and its great competition all around.”
