Austin Dillon to Run Camping World East Series and Seven Nationwide Races

In 2009, Austin Dillon will attempt to qualify for seven Nationwide races and also run the full Camping World East Series schedule, with hopes of running the Nationwide Series full-time in 2010 and competing for rookie of the year.

He's the grandson of Richard Childress and the son of Mike Dillon, RCR's Vice President of Competition.

He made two starts in the nationwide in 2008, finishing 26th at Richmond and fourth at Memphis. Last year in the Camping World East series, he finished second in the points, won the Rookie of the Year, and is my pick for Champion in 2009.

Dillon will drive the No. 21 car—no schedule has been set yet on which races he'll run. He still needs approval NASCAR to compete at Daytona and Talladega, sure with approval both superspeedways will be on it.

Looks like Richmond and Iowa Speedways will be among them, and I hope Memphis will be on his list too, and he could very well end up with his first Nationwide win.

Dillon will continue to use the No. 3 in CWES and the No. 21 in Nationwide, which is the number his dad used when he drove at RCR.

"Fourth place in our second race really got us excited for next year's seven races. It's plenty of races to get some experience against those guys, and I'm looking forward to the following year," said Dillon. (scenedaily.com)

"The double file starts on the East Series really make you have to be aggressive on the starts. I think that's helped me a ton to get ready for the Nationwide," said Dillon. "I mean you really have to be on your game on the restarts. Those guys go hard the very first five laps—that's when most of your passing gets done now since the motors are so close. You just really have to be on your game on starts and restarts." (scenedaily.com)

Now when Dillon moves up to the Nationwide full-time, there will be a coming storm over whether he can or can't use the No. 3 by the fans. It will be ugly, but the kids used the number throughout his career so far, and it will be up to his grandpa Richard Childress whether he does or doesn't.

I'd love to see it. He's a great kid with a bright future in NASCAR. It's still family regarding Dale Earnhardt, and the time's right to do it.

Source: scenedaily.com

Picture Credit: image.google.com