Winning a race when it mattered the most? Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon has been there and done that. With this year’s final race of the regular season at Daytona coming close, memories of Dillon clinching the win in a nail-biting race against time will always pop up. Being the successor to the legendary #3 has a different pressure about it, and the 33-year-old has had to bear it for the majority of his career.

But at the beginning of the season as an insanely talented driver, Tyler Reddick departed their ranks, one of the best-ever drivers in the sport joined them. Kyle Busch’s arrival meant a lot to Mr. Childress and Co, who were looking to awaken a sleeping dragon, and so they have, at least according to Dillon, who reveals the massive impact Rowdy’s signing had on him and the team.

“It’s been great for me”: Austin Dillon hoping to replicate last season’s success at Daytona

Austin Dillon was the man of the moment at this point of the season in 2022. Fast forward to 2023 and he’s in an identical situation that would require him to win at the same venue to ensure qualification into the playoffs. But with significant players like Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, and many other racing talents in the fray, it certainly will not be easy. Exploring his chances and recollecting memories from his thrilling win last year, he speaks to MRN broadcaster Chris Wilner.

“Well, I mean, Daytona is always fun, adrenaline-popping, prestigious, so many words that can describe the place and I’ve loved it in my career. It’s been great for me,” states Dillon.

“To win and get in last year was big. You know it’s an opportunity. You gotta choose a direction you want to go in when you get there. Be aggressive or wait till the end. We just had to have a clear mind, a clear path on what we’re gonna do and just go have fun. When you have fun at Daytona, it seems to work out.”

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The superspeedway will be the last-ditch attempt for plenty of drivers who want to see themselves in the final 16. Being 29th in the standings hasn’t helped Dillon’s case either, so the only option that remains is to recreate the heroics of last year’s Coke Zero Sugar 400.

“He’s damn good”- Dillon sings praises for Rowdy

At the end of last season, when Joe Gibbs Racing lacked the efforts to renew Kyle’s contract, Dillon stood behind the two-time Cup champion. Playing an instrumental role in securing his services for RCR, the decision has indeed brought great value to the team. Busch has repaid every bit of faith and effort RCR have put in him with his performances this season and already has three wins this season.

Explaining the experience of partnering with Kyle Busch and the confidence he adds to the team, he says, ” Well, I mean it’s pretty high. Kyle and I look back at Daytona this year trying to get the 500 win. Yeah so close so hopefully get the same opportunity. I think we made our cars better since then and we have a lot of speed but handling wasn’t really there for us.”

Busch’s crew chief has also indicated that there have been some problems in their car that have prevented them from dominating the regular season. Especially on short tracks, the #8 Chevy has found it troublesome to find the needed pace to pass a car. Yet, that does not stop Dillon from getting an idea about how good Rowdy actually is, as he witnessed it up close.

“He’s damn good. He’s as advertised. He’s a workhorse, really good at giving feedback to the guys on what he needs in the car.” says the #3 driver.

“So I’m trying to learn from that and be a little better. For us in the #3 team, having a first year with Keith, I think we’re getting better as we go, getting a better rhythm.”

Learning from Busch will definitely be a great experience for him who has had to face the nerves of driving the legendary car. Not just him but the rest of the organization as well, who will be relieved to find a driver that is without doubt champion material and has proven it with time.

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