Richard Childress has spent most of his life at racetracks striving to elevate Richard Childress Racing into a leading team. His unwavering dedication and determination, however, came at the expense of time with his family, a sacrifice he hopes his grandsons, Austin and Ty Dillon, will avoid in their racing careers. The Austin Dillon family racing legacy is now positioned to continue without repeating these personal regrets.
Currently competing as Cup Series drivers, Austin and Ty are expected to assume leadership roles in the organization in the near future. During a recent appearance on the Stacking Pennies podcast with Corey LaJoie, Austin shared how Richard Childress finds comfort in seeing the younger generation’s children forging close friendships, something Childress himself missed in his upbringing.
Austin explained,
“We’ve all come way closer and that’s good to see. I think that’s good for my grandfather to see also, like he wants that. Because his whole career has been at the racetrack, right? And he’s had to sacrifice a lot of family time from that situation. So he doesn’t want us to sacrifice that because it’s like a regret for him, I feel like.”
—Austin Dillon, Cup Series Driver
This connection among family members also reinforces Childress’s confidence in the team’s future. Strong family values are deeply rooted in Richard Childress Racing, reflected not only by its leadership but also by long-tenured employees in the Welcome, North Carolina race shop, many of whom have dedicated more than twenty years to the organization. Austin has often spoken about his grandfather’s journey from watching races at Bowman Gray Stadium to creating a powerful racing empire, suggesting that story deserves to be told in full detail.
The Timeline for Austin and Ty Dillon’s Leadership Transition
For weeks, Austin has faced inquiries about when he will take the helm of Richard Childress Racing. He addressed this on the podcast, emphasizing that his priority remains strong performance on the track rather than a fixed timeline for stepping into leadership. His focus is on continuing to be a competitive force while preparing for the eventual transition.
He remarked,
“Right now, I think the team and I’ve been bragging about it a lot. The team that we’ve built is probably the best team that I’ve been a part of. I feel that way. So if we can’t go out and compete the rest of this year, the next year, we got to think about what that direction is for me. I want to be a contender.”
—Austin Dillon, Cup Series Driver
Austin is also realistic about his role evolving over time, recognizing the emergence of fresh talent in the sport. His commitment to the family legacy means contributing wherever he can bring the most value, accepting that eventually his seat will be passed to the next generation of drivers.
Maintaining a Lasting Impact on Richard Childress Racing
The desire to preserve the Austin Dillon family racing legacy involves balancing competitive ambitions with fostering strong family connections, something Richard Childress deeply values after his own experiences of sacrifice. The team’s culture, built around loyalty and long-term dedication, supports this vision as it moves forward.
With Austin and Ty poised to carry on the leadership, Richard Childress Racing is set to continue thriving under the guidance of those who know the team’s roots intimately. As Austin focuses on sustaining his on-track success and preparing for future responsibilities, the organization remains in a promising position to uphold its legacy while embracing new opportunities in NASCAR.