NASCAR: 5 drivers who have been underperforming
By Asher Fair
![Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, NASCAR - Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, NASCAR - Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/4c98666d003c9a34d39d07285feb4ac561a627b1b101dae2811cad2169990a6a.jpg)
Underperforming NASCAR drivers: No. 3 – Ty Dillon
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Let’s get back to the Dillon brothers for a second. Ty Dillon landed a full-time ride with Spire Motorsports, which had never previously run two full-time drivers, after losing his ride with Petty GMS Motorsports (now Legacy Motor Club) after a less than impressive 2022 season during which he secured just one top 10 finish.
Given the fact that Spire Motorsports is generally seen as a backmarker team, not much was expected from Dillon this year. But given the performance of teammate Corey LaJoie, it is quite evident that the veteran is underperforming.
Dillon has just one top 20 finish, that being a lackluster 14th place effort at Talladega Superspeedway, and sits in last in the standings among drivers who have competed in every race.
LaJoie, on the other hand, has nine top 20 finishes and nearly twice as many total points as Dillon, putting him 10 positions higher in the point standings. He has finished as high as fourth place, 10 positions higher than Dillon’s best result. He has just three finishes outside of the top 25; Dillon has 10.
Bottom line? Spire Motorsports have grown into more than a backmarker team. Yet Dillon seems to be a perennial backmarker anyway.