Talking on the Dale Jr. Download Podcast, hosted by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Austin Dillon opened up about potentially transitioning into an executive role at Richard Childress Racing following his recent controversial victory at Richmond’s Cook Out 400.
Earnhardt Jr. was quick to ask about the driver’s future within RCR, an organization he has been intertwined with since childhood.
“I publicly said that you need to be positioning for an executive owner stake in the business for the success of Richard Childress Racing. I see you as a big part of that, having driven the cars and been around this since you know, you were a child, it just seems to make sense to me,” Earnhardt admitted, prompting Dillon to reflect on the feasibility and timing of such a shift in his career.
In response, Dillon discussed his strong commitment to the family business that rivals any racer’s dedication to their craft.
Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on August 11, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. Dillon discusses his future with RCR.
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
“I’m thankful you said that, because it means a lot, and I care about our business as much as anybody. That’s where you see the determination to keep on going, because, you know, it’s a tough sport, man,” Dillon shared. “You’ve got the ups and downs with it, and you hear, it’s impossible not to hear everything around you.
“For me, I’ve had a lot of fun being the GM of our Carolina Cowboys.”
Dillon has already tasted management as the General Manager of the Carolina Cowboys in the Professional Bull Riders circuit.
“I’ve learned a lot through our PBR team about people and contracts and what all it really takes to run a business,” Dillon noted. “Watching my grandfather, the guy’s got some crazy energy blood in him that allows him to just go. At his age, it’s super impressive.
“So, if he comes to me and says, ‘Hey, look, at this point in time, I want you to help more,’ and I already am. My brother is starting to help a little bit too. And you know, a lot of the things that are going on, I’ve been involved with as of late, even getting Kyle [Busch] was one of those big things. I want to, I want to do that. Obviously, I’ve watched my grandfather fight for his company for a long time, so I want to keep it going and feel like I’m in a good place to do it, and my dad’s experience helps that.”
This transition points to a deliberate, family-driven strategy to keep leadership within the Childress lineage, ensuring the legacy of commitment and passion for racing that Richard Childress himself embodies.
Despite this, Dillon remains grounded in his current reality as a competitive driver, with a contract extending two more years in that role.
“My contract right now is as a race car driver for two more years with RCR. So, five-year plan? We see what’s going on in year two of my contract,” he admitted.
“If I’m best suited as getting out of the car and putting somebody else in it, I definitely would love to be a part of that conversation with my grandfather and Mike Verlander.
“Think that’s another guy, underrated, that we have got, and has been awesome for our company, that’s coming in and you’ll see more of. He was Kyle’s manager for a while, working at Stewart-Haas. Mike has just breathed a lot of, you know, commitment, to making the No. 8 and the No. 3 run well.
“And he talks to Kyle, really well. Obviously, they have a relationship. So, he’s been a plus. I’d love to help run it alongside him, and my dad, my grandfather, in whatever capacity it is.”
