Austin Dillon Clinches Bristol XFINITY Win with Late Surge

Austin Dillon led just four laps, but they were the four most important laps Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway. The driver of the No. 2 Rheem Chevrolet took advantage of a late-race caution and had a great jump on the green-white-checkered restart to earn his second victory of the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series season.

081916-austin-dillon-wins-at-bristol_articleI feel like the fans had to have loved that race. It was interesting to have another lane down at the bottom of the track and it ended up being a race on those last two restarts.” Dillon said.

The victory capped off a strong day for the Richard Childress Racing group, as all four cars ran inside the top 10 for much of the 308-lap event.

“At the end of the race, I listened to the advice of my grandfather on what lane to choose to restart and I’m glad I did. It really worked out,” according to Dillon. “The more and more I learn about these races it’s a battle of attrition and it’s about who can survive.”

Brandan Gaughan finished fifth on the night in the No. 62 South Point Chevrolet, while rookie Brandon Jones brought his No. 33 Nexteer Automotive Chevrolet home ninth. Gaughan muscled his way into the top five late in the going, while Jones was lined up in fourth for the final restart but was forced to pit road under caution when the car struggled to pick up the fuel.

Ty Dillon spent much of the race inside the top five, but suffered heavy damage to the No. 3 Bass Pro Shop/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet when Kyle Busch hit the wall ahead of him. Entering the corner at speed in the high line, the younger Dillon brother had nowhere to go and ended the night in the garage in the 25th spot.

Friday night’s victory was RCR’s 77th overall NXS victory and Austin Dillon’s eighth-career NXS win.