For the first since Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won at Daytona International Speedway nearly two years ago has the No. 3 been in victory lane in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Tonight add Austin Dillon to the list of drivers celebrating behind the wheel of the infamous number, but this time in a black number 3.
“It is awesome for the races who support me,” Dillon said about driving the number 3 to victory lane.
Dillon, who captured the Coors Light Pole earlier on Friday, dominated the Feed the Children 300 leading a new record of 192 of the 200 laps. He would surpass Carl Edwards who had the previous record of 150 laps, set back in 2005 during this race.
Kyle Busch, owner of the No. 54 driven by his brother Kurt Busch, described Dillion’s domination as being on the “money” the entire race.
Dillon only gave up the lead during the two green-flag pit stops during the race. Other leaders include Michael Annett, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Justin Allgiaer.
The win for Dillon was his first NASCAR Nationwide Series victory.
There was trouble in the Joe Gibbs Racing camp as Denny Hamlin and Brian Scott both blew an engine. Kurt Busch, who also gets his engines from JGR, was having issues to involve a blown cylinder.
The race included two cautions, the first happening on Lap 25 when Jamie Mosley spun and the second was when Mike Wallace hit the wall causing debris on the track.
Dillion now leads the NASCAR Nationwide Series points standings by 2 points over Elliott Sadler, who finished 9th. However, after the race, the No. 3 failed post race inspection as it was too low for the heights for the rear. Expect NASCAR to hand down a penalty on Tuesday. Typically this is a 6 point penalty, or that’s what happened to Dillon’s Richard Childress Racing teammate Elliott Sadler when the same thing happened to his No. 2 Chevrolet after the Iowa Nationwide race earlier this season.
The next race for the NASCAR Nationwide Series is next Friday night, July 6th at Daytona International Speedway. Can the number 3 end up in victory lane again?
Unofficial Race Results:
1. Austin Dillon
2. Kurt Busch
3. Kevin Harvick
4. Michael Annett
5. Justin Allgaier
6. Sam Hornish, Jr.
7. Brad Keselowski
8. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
9. Elliott Sadler
10. James Beuscher
11. Kenny Wallace
12. Danica Patrick
13. Reed Sorenson
14. Cole Whitt
15. Ryan Blaney
16. Brad Sweet
17. Mike Bliss
18. Joe Nemechek
19. Johanna Long
20. Josh Richards
21. Jeremy Clements
22. Jason Bowles
23. Tayler Malsham
24. Jamie Dick
25. Erik Darnell
26. Eric McClure
27. TJ Bell
28. Tanner Berryhill
29. Jamie Mosley
30. Brian Scott
31. Mike Wallace
32. Timmy Hill
33. Denny Hamlin
34. Danny Efland
35. Morgan Sheperd
36. Kevin Lepage
37. Scott Riggs
38. Tim Andrews
39. Chase Miller
40. Josh Wise
41. Blake Koch
42. Jeff Green
43. Scott Speed
