Austin Dillon Sweeps Charlotte Earning Back-to-Back Victories

NASCAR XFINITY Series – Drive for the Cure 300
October 9, 2015 – Charlotte Motor Speedway – Charlotte, NC

Austin Dillon and the No. 33 Rheem team earned the team’s fifth victory of the 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series season Friday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Drive for the Cure 300 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Dillon posted the fastest time in qualifying earlier in the day, earning his sixth pole award of the year with the Richard Childress Racing team. After the Welcome, N.C. driver took the initial green flag for the 200-lap affair, Dillon reported to the Danny Stockman-led team he was too tight and slipped from the lead on lap five. Relief came on lap 48 when the field was slowed for the first caution of the night. The Rheem pit crew serviced the No. 33 machine with four tires, fuel and a round of chassis adjustments to combat Dillon’s handling issues. Dillon restarted sixth and began his climb to the front of the field. He took over the race lead on lap 100. Continuing to battle a tight-handling condition, Dillon fell to the fourth position before visiting pit road again for another routine pit stop. After restarting third on lap 151, Dillon jumped to the inside and assumed the race lead for the third time of the night. Without looking back, the 25-year-old driver laid claim to the checkered flag, earning back-to-back pole awards and victories in his home state.

It’s pretty cool to say we’ve swept both races at our home track. We didn’t start the race very strong. I told Danny (Stockman, crew chief) we were really tight and needed to make some adjustments. He made great calls and took big swings at it. Those guys made this Rheem Chevrolet fast. We pulled away there at the end, it was great. This is a special win for us not only as a team, but me personally. I know two people close to me that are battling breast cancer, and this win is for them. It’s an honor to be able to bring home this trophy for them. I hope it brings a few smiles when they’re having a rough day. – Austin Dillon

Start – 1, Finish – 1, Laps Led – 61, Owner’s Points – 4