Ty Dillon’s last Cup Series stint can be summed up in one word—deplorable. Throughout the 2023 season, fans watched as he struggled to secure even a single top-10 finish. His performance challenges with Spire Motorsports ultimately led to a 2024 driver swap for Carson Hocevar, cutting his run short and marking a disappointing chapter in his career. However, the 2025 season brings a renewed sense of hope.

Ty Dillon has secured a comeback opportunity with Kaulig Racing after running part-time Cup races for them in 2024. The need to prove himself is stronger than ever. While he remains optimistic, the abrupt shake-up by his previous team is something that still lingers in his mind, and he didn’t hesitate to take a jab at them.

Ty Dillon feels this is his best opportunity yet

In 2018, Jeff Dickerson and T.J. Puchyr turned a failed charter sale into a $6 million gamble—founding Spire Motorsports. Six years later, that bet is paying off. The team purchased a charter for $40 million and also acquired Kyle Busch Motorsports for $14.5 million. However, now there are murmurs about how Spire Motorsports had been trying their level best to get in touch with Chevrolet. The idea is to become a tier-one team. Given that team Hendrick Motorsports had a similar trajectory, it is anticipated that Spire Motorsports could be the “mini Hendrick”. 

Dillon was quick to take a dig at the mini-Hendrick team, assuming that they have never won a Cup Series race. Dillon, said in an interview, “I know this is my best opportunity. This is a team that has done that in the past. They have been to victory lane in the Cup Series in recent years. So that’s something new for me to say I am part of a team that’s actually won before me being a part of their team. So I’m excited for that opportunity.” Dillon’s new team, Kaulig Racing, accounted for their first Cup Series win in 2021. This was after AJ Allmendinger took to the checkered flag at Indianapolis Road Course. 

While Ty Dillon‘s shade might seem valid as Spire has not seen victory lane in the 2020s, they have seen one victory. The 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona. Justin Haley, who is a part of Spire for 2025, recorded this win. While Dillon might feel all high and mighty riding with Kaulig now, Justin Haley might have to remind him that he has more wins for Spire than Dillon has top-10 finishes for the same.

Speaking of the new road that lies ahead of him, Dillon added, “For me you know this is the best opportunity that I have had in my career. Being with Kaulig Racing, my goals are high. I got into this sport to want to win races in the Cup Series and compete to be in the playoffs… I think this is the best chance for me to show what I am capable of, what I’ve always believed in myself as a driver, and the opportunity ahead of me that I have been working so hard for.” 

For the limited races that Dillon drove for Kaulig Racing during the 2024 season, he secured three top-20 finishes in five races. His 16th-place finish at Texas highlighted his ability to handle the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 effectively. It further strengthened his case for a full-time role in 2025. With consistent performances and growing trust from Kaulig Racing, Dillon has positioned himself as a strong contender for continued opportunities in the upcoming season.

Kevin Harvick opens up on the Dillons’ sibling rivalry 

There is no doubt that the world of NASCAR often experiences some of the most bizarre happenings. However, recently, at the Bowman Gray Tracks, fans saw what true sibling rivalry looks like as Austin and Ty Dillon clashed with each other. The Dillons turned what should have been a strategic race into a wreck-fest. Instead of working together in the Last Chance Qualifier, they fought each other at every turn—bumping, blocking, and ultimately ruining their chances. 

What started as a shot at redemption ended in a frustrating exit, all because they couldn’t put their rivalry aside. Speaking of the same, NASCAR analyst Kevin Harvick put forth his blunt view on the two brothers. He said, “Well, they were rough. I don’t know that we call it racy. They were rough. And it started right off the bat with the Dillon brothers. That’s right. And they basically ran over each other and screwed themselves up and got themselves back in the field.”

Harvick’s words summed up what many were thinking. It was just not aggressive racing. It was self-sabotage. If the Dillon brothers don’t learn to channel their competitive fire, their biggest obstacle won’t be the competition, but inevitably each other.