(By David Exum, Associate Editor, CupScene.com)
Posted: Wednesday,January 20th, 2010
CONCORD, N.C. - Being the grandson of a famous NASCAR team owner has it’s perks but for Austin and Ty Dillon, they’ve had to earn every thing they’ve got driving for their grandfather at Richard Childress Racing.
During a stop on the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour on Tuesday, Childress made it clear that both his grandson’s aren’t racing for him because of their lineage.
“Austin and Ty have earned everything I’ve given them and they’ve both got talent as race car drivers,” Childress said.
Austin Dillon and grandfather and team owner Richard Childress.
Austin Dillon unveiled his No. 3 truck that he’ll compete full-time in this season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Ty, meanwhile, will compete full-time in the NASCAR East Series. Both Dillon’s are currently going to school as Austin is a freshman at nearby High Point University and Ty is a junior in high school.
“I can’t wait to get going and I think this is really going to be an awesome year for us,” Austin Dillon said.
Austin made two starts in the No. 3 truck in 2009 and posted a 12th-place finish at Iowa Speedway and finished 15th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He missed making the field for the truck race at Talladega but qualifying wasn’t held due to rain.
“When (Childress) has confidence in you, it makes things a lot better,” Austin said.
Austin Dillon will be entered in the No. 3 RCR truck for every NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event in 2010.
Austin and Ty’s father, Mike Dillon, works at RCR and oversees the organization’s driver development program.
“I’ve never raced at Daytona but I did get the chance to practice at Talladega,” Austin said. “I can simulate the Daytona track conditions and I know it’s going to be a lot more bumpier than Talladega.”
Driving the black No. 3 that the late Dale Earnhardt made famous during his legendary career, Austin is taking the pressure of competing in the truck series in stride. He is also leaning on former RCR driver Mike Skinner to show him the ropes during his freshman season.
Skinner, winner of the first truck series championship in 1995, has been a fixture in trucks.
“Skinner has helped me a ton and it’s cool that he drove the 3,” Austin said. “Mr. Skinner will help me a lot and I don’t expect him to teach me all the tricks of the trade.”
Ty’s first race in the East Series will be March 27 at Greenville Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C.
RCR’s Sean Caisse will also compete in the East Series.
______________
Penske Racing announced Tuesday that Magellan portable car navigation systems will provide associate sponsorship for all three cars - The No. 2 driven by Kurt Busch, the No. 12 with Brad Keselowski behind the wheel and the No. 77 driven by Sam Hornish Jr. - that compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this season.
“We hosted Magellan last year at our annual Penske Racing Sponsor Summit in Indianapolis,” said Roger Penske. “We have continued to work with them and we are excited to announce this partnership because our organizations share common core values and we believe there are some great opportunities to build for the future together.”
________________
Richard Petty Motorsports announced its merger with Yates Racing Tuesday and will relocate its shop to Concord, the site of Yates Racing. RPM will also use Ford engines built by Yates Racing.
________________
Frontrow Motorsports announced Tuesday that it will enter a third full-time car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driven by David Gilliland and Robert Richardson Jr.
Gilliland will drive a majority of the races. Richardson will compete in the Daytona 500, the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway and the July race at Daytona.
“I’m looking forward to racing with Front Row Motorsports,” Richardson Jr. said.
Frontrow has an alliance to run Roush/Yates Engines. Travis Kvapil will also run the full Cup schedule, as well as rookie driver Kevin Conway.
Dave Exum formerly worked as copy editor/web coordinator for NASCAR Scene. He also worked for the Boston Herald covering NASCAR for 10 years. He resides in Concord, N.C. Check out his blog: The Pit Stop
Share on Facebook - Email this page: 
Rate this article:
