Austin Dillon

Austin Dillon
Name	Austin Dillon
Birth date	September 27, 1990
Birth place	Welcome, North Carolina, U.S.
Nationality	American
Teams	Richard Childress Racing
Car number	3, 2, 33
Championships	2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series, 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Wins	NASCAR Cup Series: 1; Xfinity Series: 18; Camping World Truck Series: 6

Austin Dillon Austin Dillon (born September 27, 1990) is an American professional stock car racing driver known for competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. A member of the Richard Childress Racing organization and scion of the Dillon family (racing), he won the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship and the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series title. Dillon is also noted for his association with the iconic No. 3 (racing number) and for securing a marquee victory at the Daytona 500.

Early life and family

Dillon was born in Welcome, North Carolina into a motorsports lineage connected to Richard Childress and the Dillon family (Dillons of North Carolina). He is the grandson of Elden Dillon and nephew of Mike Dillon (racing), and he grew up around facilities such as North Wilkesboro Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway. His upbringing involved close ties to Richard Childress Racing workshops and personalities like Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr., and he attended regional events including the Short track racing circuits and ARCA Menards Series meetings. Influences in his formative years also included exposure to manufacturers such as Chevrolet, teams like Joe Gibbs Racing, and series promoters such as NASCAR leadership under figures like Brian France.

Racing career

Dillon’s early competitive résumé included starts in legend car racing divisions and progression through developmental series such as the ARCA Racing Series and regional Late Model tours. He made incremental steps with entries at tracks like Bristol Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, and Darlington Raceway, while working with crew chiefs and engineers from Richard Childress Racing and collaborating with sponsors including Dow Chemical Company and American Ethanol. His transition to national NASCAR touring series put him in direct competition with drivers from Team Penske, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Joe Gibbs Racing, and he contested marquee events staged at venues such as Talladega Superspeedway, Kansas Speedway, and Watkins Glen International.

NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series

Dillon captured the NASCAR Nationwide Series (now Xfinity) championship in 2013 driving for Richard Childress Racing in the No. 3 car, defeating competitors from teams like JR Motorsports, Roush Fenway Racing, and Team Penske. His Xfinity wins included victories at circuits such as Texas Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Phoenix Raceway. In the premier NASCAR Cup Series, Dillon made his full-time debut with Richard Childress Racing and later ran part-time programs, scoring his first Cup win at the Daytona 500—an event historically associated with Dale Earnhardt and the Intimidation Game era—aligning him with precedents set by teams like Hendrick Motorsports and drivers such as Jimmie Johnson. He has contested playoff formats instituted by NASCAR and driven against champions including Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Martin Truex Jr. at venues like Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.

Truck Series and Camping World achievements

Dillon won the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship, running programs that faced rivals from GMS Racing, ThorSport Racing, and Kyle Busch Motorsports. His truck victories occurred at tracks including Martinsville Speedway and Gateway Motorsports Park, and he competed in events promoted by series operators such as NASCAR and broadcast partners like Fox Sports. The Truck Series title placed him among former champions like Matt Crafton and Ron Hornaday Jr., and he participated in developmental crossover races with entries in the ARCA Racing Series and select NASCAR Xfinity Series events to broaden experience at road courses such as Circuit of the Americas and intermediate ovals like Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Personal life and interests

Dillon’s personal affiliations include family ties to Richard Childress and professional relationships with crew chiefs and team owners such as Gil Martin and Mike Dillon (racing). He has partnered with corporate sponsors including Bass Pro Shops, Mountain Dew, and Dow Chemical Company, and engaged in charitable activities aligned with organizations like Victory Junction and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Dillon has been involved in media appearances on programs covering ESPN, NBC Sports, and has been profiled in publications such as Sports Illustrated and Racer (magazine). Outside racing he enjoys automotive restoration, participating in events at Charlotte Motor Speedway and maintaining interests in historic venues like North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Motorsports legacy and records

Dillon’s legacy includes inheriting the No. 3 (racing number) mantle associated with Dale Earnhardt and contributing to the continuity of Richard Childress Racing’s presence in top-level NASCAR competition. His championship in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and title in the NASCAR Nationwide Series place him alongside multi-series champions such as Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski. Dillon’s Daytona victory and career milestones have been recorded in statistical compendia maintained by entities like NASCAR and Racing-Reference, and his career intersects with major rule changes introduced under executives like Brian France and broadcast evolutions with NBC Sports and Fox Sports. He remains active in legacy conversations involving historic numbers, manufacturer competition among Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, and the preservation of short-track heritage at venues such as Bristol Motor Speedway and Martinsville Speedway.

Category:American racing drivers Category:NASCAR drivers