RCR Austin Dillon Crashes Out_ Austin Dillon’s journey in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season has been far from smooth sailing. Representing Richard Childress Racing (RCR), Dillon has encountered a string of challenges right out of the gate, reminiscent of his tumultuous run in the previous year, where he retired from 10 race weekends.
The latest chapter of Dillon’s tough luck unfolded at Phoenix Raceway during the Shriners Children’s 500. Positioned 30th on the grid, Dillon found himself entangled in a three-car melee triggered by Derek Kraus of Kaulig Racing a mere six laps into the event. The chaos also ensnared Team Penske’s Austin Cindric, with Kraus spinning on the backstretch, engulfing the track in a haze of smoke.
In the midst of the chaos, Dillon, unable to see through the billowing smoke, collided head-on with the stationary Chevy. While Cindric’s race came to an abrupt end due to irreparable damage, Kraus and Dillon soldiered on, albeit several laps down. Kraus eventually succumbed to another mishap, while Dillon valiantly finished the race eight laps behind the leader.
This unfortunate incident is just the latest in a series of setbacks for Dillon this season. The Daytona season opener saw him caught in an incident, relegating him to a disappointing 37th-place finish. The following weekend in Atlanta, he salvaged a 22nd-place result after getting tangled up in an early race pile-up. Dillon finally enjoyed an incident-free run at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, finishing in 16th place.
In a show of camaraderie, Denny Hamlin, a stalwart of Joe Gibbs Racing, came to Dillon’s defense on his podcast, “Actions Detrimental.” Hamlin lent his support to Dillon, characterizing him as a fine individual while decrying the undue criticism he faces, often attributed to racing for his grandfather’s team, Richard Childress Racing. Hamlin acknowledged Dillon’s tumultuous year, which was characterized by a sizable number of Did Not Finish (DNF) results. He also pointed out the apparent struggles of the RCR Chevies at Phoenix, citing Kyle Busch’s woes at the challenging one-mile oval.
In summation, Austin Dillon’s 2024 NASCAR Cup Series campaign has been fraught with adversity, with wrecks and hurdles punctuating three out of four races. The recent collision at Phoenix Raceway serves as another blow to Dillon’s fortunes. Despite Denny Hamlin’s spirited defense of Dillon’s character, the on-track tribulations raise pertinent questions about RCR’s performance and the uphill battle faced by Dillon in the fiercely competitive realm of the NASCAR Cup Series.
Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”)
Has Austin Dillon ever won a race?
Dillon boasts nine career victories in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and seven wins in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Notably, he clinched the Xfinity championship in 2013 and the Truck Series championship in 2011.
Who did Austin Dillon throw a helmet at?
Austin Dillon expressed frustration at Tyler Reddick by throwing his helmet after a wreck at Pocono Raceway.
Who drives the number 3 car now?
Austin Dillon, also known as “the Ace,” is an American stock car racing driver competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Richard Childress Racing.
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