NASCAR: Richard Childress Racing 2018 outlook

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 28: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 DOW Salutes Veterans Chevrolet, celebrates with team owner, Richard Childress, after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. /

2 of 5

FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 03: Ty Dillon, driver of the #13 GEICO Military Chevrolet (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway) /

Introduction (continued)

The biggest surprise was the lack of what was expected to be a chain reaction in the youngest Dillon brother, Ty, coming over to RCR to take Menard’s spot. He actually signed a contract extension to stay with RCR alliance team Germain Racing.

Based on his comments, it seems Ty Dillon wishes to carve out his own identity and opted to create his own legacy in the #13 GEICO Chevrolet as opposed to race for his grandfather’s team, according to Autoweek.

"“As much as I love having a brother in the sport and my family in the sport and my grandfather is an owner and how much I would love to win races and championships for him, I think I needed to break out of that grandson-brother shadow that I had.”"

This is a respectable move, although to be fair, RCR essentially supply Germain Racing with their engines, and they control a finite aspect of the operations, so it’s not like Dillon flew too far from the family nest.

So, with two drivers set in place, what does 2018 have in store for Austin Dillon and Ryan Newman?

Home/NASCAR