NASCAR Community Divided Over Richard Childress’s Grandsons’ NASCAR Prowess as Father Mike Dillon’s “Mediocre” Stats Come to Light

It has been a monumental year for the 20-year-old Carson Hocevar, who is set to embark on his fairytale journey from the 2024 season. After impressing many in his eight races behind Legacy Motor Club’s #42 Chevy, Hocevar is ready for a full-time seat in the Cup Series for the 2024 season with Spire Motorsports. While Hocevar is on cloud nine and is set to live his long-coveted dream, the news comes as devastating news for the current #77 driver Ty Dillon.

With Hocevar joining the team, Ty Dillon is left without a seat for the 2024 season. Moreover, it is not just Ty Dillon who sits in a precarious position, but also his elder brother and Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon. Both the drivers failed to make a mark in the Cup Series yet again, which has led to an interesting take and brought their father Mike Dillon’s racing career into the limelight, leaving the NASCAR enthusiasts divided. 

Richard Childress’s grandsons’ racing caliber comes under lens after Mike Dillon’s stats come to light

The world of stock cars is replete with instances where father-son duos have dominated the asphalts of NASCAR, the Earnhardts, the Pettys, and the Elliotts being among the most dominant. While these families have tasted success across generations, NASCAR has witnessed a few unimpressive stories as well, like that of the Dillons.

Both Austin and Ty Dillon are household names, owing partly to the fact that they are the grandsons of Richard Childress. While these two drivers are still actively racing, what is not known to many is the racing career of their father Mike Dillon. Before joining the management side of Richard Childress Racing, Mike Dillon drove in NASCAR during the late 90s, piloting for several teams including Richard Childress Racing. 

Debuting in the Busch Series in 1995, Mike Dillon was unable to fetch success as a NASCAR driver. His best season was recorded in 1998 when he recorded two top-5s and seven top-10s and concluded the season in 12th position on the scoreboard. However, Mr. Dillon’s racing career was cut short after suffering an injury in the Bristol Race, driving the #21 Chevrolet for RCR. Owing to this, the driver switched his fire suit for a business suit, and currently serves as the General Manager for RCR.

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A NASCAR fan shared a post detailing Mike’s performance in the Busch Series for a year and half just before his unfortunate accident in Bristol. Mike Skinner, who replaced Dillon in the #21 car, notched 6 top 5s in the 10 races after taking over. Comparing this with Dillon’s spate of finishes outside the top 20, the fan asked, “Do the Dillons have the most mediocre genes in sports?” 

NASCAR fandom divided after the talent of the Dillons is questioned

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Although Austin Dillon has four victories in the Cup Series including the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600, the eldest grandson of Richard Childress staggers way behind his teammate, the 2x Cup Series champion Kyle Busch. Austin’s record is still more decent than that of his younger brother Ty. His highest finish of the season was P11. 

After comparing the stats of the father alongside his two sons, NASCAR fandom seemed divided. Many fans shared their views on the topic:
“I’d say no, because Austin Dillon won a Busch title, and Ty competed for one. Mike Dillon being mediocre in the Busch series indicates that he’d be dogshit in Cup, unlike his sons who are average (Austin) and below average (Ty).”
“I guess their talent runs in the family.”
“Think Austin needs to go back to xfinity for a few more years then come back to cup, I think he was kinda rushed to cup.”

While others asserted, “Austin Dillon won an Xfinity title, a Daytona 500, and has made the playoffs multiple times in Cup. In what way is that a ‘mediocre’ driver?”
“I know a lot of people discredit Austin’s Coke 600 win, but Dillon was saving fuel while still closing in on Jimmie Johnson and pulling away from Truex and KFB by 2 seconds.”
“I don’t think he’s mediocre. Definitely an above-average driver.”

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With that being said, it remains to be seen what lies ahead of Austin Dillon in the 2024 season driving the legendary #3 Chevrolet and whether his younger brother can fetch a seat in the Cup Series.