Ty Dillon made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Dover International Speedway and raced to an impressive eighth-place finish. Dillon posted the third-quickest time in Saturday morning’s qualifying session. After taking the green-flag, the Richard Childress Racing driver was scored in the sixth position when NASCAR officials displayed a competition caution at lap 40.
Crew chief Ernie Cope directed Dillon to pit road for four fresh Goodyear tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment to combat a loose-handling condition on the No. 33 Chevrolet. Dillon restarted in the 13th position on lap 45 and maintained position through the halfway point of the 200-lap affair. The 2011 ARCA Racing Series champion moved into the 11th position but fell one lap down to the leaders just past the race’s halfway point.
Following a routine green-flag pit stop on lap 116, a caution flag slowed the field and positioned the No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet ninth for the ensuing restart. Dillon held onto the ninth-place position and was awarded the Lucky Dog Award, placing the team back on the lead lap. Dillon improved one position, to eighth, in the final stages of the race to claim a top-10 finish in his Nationwide Series debut. The No. 33 team remains fifth in the Nationwide Series owner’s point championship standings after earning the top-10 finish.
Start – 3 Finish – 6 Laps Led – 0 Owners Points – 5
Ty Dillon on his race: “I’m really proud of the No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino team. I knew they put together a great car and it was up to me to perform in it, and we came out with a top-10 finish. I learned a lot from this race that I hope I can use in other Nationwide Series races. It’s a great series, and I’m looking forward to running in it full time one day.”
