Austin Dillon Critiques RCR Performance, Eyes Playoff Rescue at Bristol

Austin Dillon expressed frustration with the performance of his Richard Childress Racing (RCR) vehicle during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Gateway on September 7, 2025. Despite securing a spot in the playoffs with a victory at Richmond earlier in the season, Dillon’s struggles continued as he faced challenges on the track. His average finish of 20.071 and average start of 18.821 reflect ongoing difficulties, while teammate Kyle Busch recorded an average finish of 17.929 this season, failing to qualify for the playoff field for the second consecutive year.

The situation became particularly tense at Gateway, where Dillon started in 15th position but dropped to 18th by the end of the race. Busch, for his part, finished in 22nd place, illustrating the uphill battle both drivers are facing with RCR’s equipment. Dillon’s frustration reached a boiling point during the race, leading him to vent over the radio: “Quit telling me how to drive. I’m driving a piece of s**t. I’m trying to hang onto it.”

Despite the setbacks, Dillon acknowledged the efforts of his team. “We didn’t come here with a good race car for some reason. All of our cars were pretty off today; we just missed it,” he noted. However, he commended the No. 3 Dow DayGlo Chevrolet team for their performance under challenging conditions, stating, “But this team did a great job executing with what we had. We got stage points and finished the best we possibly could.”

Dillon’s remarks highlight the tension within the team as they navigate a challenging season. With only a few races left in the playoffs, he now sits 11 points below the cutline heading into the crucial race at Bristol Motor Speedway. In his 20 starts at Bristol, Dillon has achieved only one top-five finish with an average finish of 17.8. To advance to the next round, he must find a way to replicate the success he had at Richmond.

As Dillon prepares for Bristol, the pressure mounts to deliver a strong performance. His team will need to harness their collective efforts to improve their standing in the playoffs. The upcoming race will be decisive for Dillon’s chances of continuing his championship pursuit, making it a must-watch event for fans and analysts alike.