Imago
Sep 6, 2020; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) races with Jimmie Johnson (48) and Aric Almirola (10) during the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
Sep 6, 2020; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) races with Jimmie Johnson (48) and Aric Almirola (10) during the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
As the NASCAR Cup Series moves to Talladega Superspeedway this Sunday, one can’t help but remember the legendary driver Dale Earnhardt’s spectacular win there, 20 years ago. The new generation driver of the No. 3 car, Austin Dillon will hope to repeat the heroics of the 7-time champion.
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It is quite interesting to note that Dillon has already once repeated an iconic Earnhardt win. That too, 20 years after Earnhardt first achieved it. Dillon’s only Daytona 500 win, in 2018, came exactly 20 years after Earnhardt’s only Daytona 500 win. This is also Dillon’s only Cup Series win on a superspeedway.
Can Austin Dillon pull off a Dale Earnhardt at Talladega Superspeedway?
Dillon spoke about the prospect of emulating Earnhardt’s win again. “That would be fitting for us to go win at Talladega and lock ourselves into the next round of the playoff,” he said.
Earnhardt’s Talladega win was special because he won the race after being in 18th place five laps from the finish. Dillon was just 10 years old when that race took place.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 22, 2020; Dover, Delaware, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) and NASCAR Cup Series driver Matt Kenseth (42) lead a restart during the NASCAR Cup Series at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
“It was a spectacular race. Seeing him come from the back to the front and make the moves he had. I think that was amazing,” Dillon said, reminiscing.
While he would love to do the same, Dillon has a tough task ahead. The No. 3 Richard Childress Racing driver enters the Talladega race placed last among all 12 playoff contenders. Alex Bowman has a 32-point lead over him on the transfer spot.
Crazy things happen sometimes, not going to get this team down! Can’t wait to get back behind the wheel in Dega! ♠️ #AceNation #NASCARPlayoffs #NotDoneYet @DowSports pic.twitter.com/9yvQ46HRmM
— Austin Dillon (@austindillon3) September 28, 2020
Dillon’s only goal is to win
Dillon realizes the challenge ahead and admits that only a win would help him.
“I’m not really worried about points. I think we need to go win the race to transfer to the next round and try to create our own destiny that way. For me, it’s throwing caution to the wind.”
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 12, 2020; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) races NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) during the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports | Credit: Reuters
At the same time, he exuded confidence in the build-up to the race.
“For me, from lap one, I’m racing and doing what I can to be aggressive and keep track position to show everybody around us that we’re there,” Dillon said. “We have a fast car to work with us, and just kind of prove a point from the beginning of the race on that we’re going to be a contender at Talladega,” he added.
The 30-year-old finished 32nd at Las Vegas after issues with his car. He was the dark horse of the first round of the playoffs, with two top-five finishes.
Read more – Talladega Throwback: 20 Years Since Dale Earnhardt Won His Last Ever NASCAR Race
