WELCOME, N.C. (May 4, 2023) – After nearly five years since his last start with the organization, Ty Dillon returns to the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Xfinity Series stable. On May 13, Dillon will get back behind the wheel of the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro SS at Darlington Raceway, marking his first start in the car since September 2018 and the first time the No. 3 Xfinity car will be back on track since Spring 2022, where Jeffrey Earnhardt drove this car to a pole win and a second-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway. With a positive track record from the car’s last run, Dillon is looking forward to being back behind the wheel with his family.
“Being able to race for my family’s race team after 5 or so years of not doing so, it means a lot. Especially doing it in the number I last ran here and had success with,” said Dillon.
RCR’s No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro originally made its Xfinity Series debut in 2002, when Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the season opener at Daytona International Speedway. Ty Dillon has 134 starts driving the No. 3 Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series entry with 84 top-ten results. Ty’s older brother, Austin Dillon, has also raced many tracks in the No. 3 Chevrolet for the Xfinity Series. Other drivers who made their way behind the wheel of the No. 3 Xfinity car include: Mike Porter, Jeff Green, Ron Hornaday Jr., Steve Park, and Shane Lee.
While Dillon hasn’t been in an RCR car in recent years, he hasn’t stopped embracing his racing roots. Dillon currently drives the No. 77 Ferris Commercial Mowers Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Cup Series for Spire Motorsports. The 31-year-old is in his sixth full-time campaign in the premier NASCAR division, piloting vehicles with three different organizations.
“Being back with RCR is awesome,” Dillon continued. “Obviously, in the beginning stages of my career I won a lot of races for RCR and RCR is my family. I’ve been away from home for a long time while racing in the Cup Series for other great teams. To be able to get the opportunity to come run a couple of races and hopefully get back to the winning ways early in my career is an opportunity I am very grateful for.”
Dillon’s journey to the Cup Series started like many others, in the ARCA Menards and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In 2010, at 18-years-old, Dillon climbed behind the wheel of an ARCA car, winning two races that season and seven races the following year, including winning the series Championship. In 2011, Dillon started his Craftsman Truck Series career. He went on to win three races in the series and collected 36 top-ten finishes in 58 starts. In 2014, Dillon made his Cup Series debut driving the No. 33 for RCR.
The relationship between Ferris Commercial Mowers and Dillon is one that dates back nearly a decade. Ferris Commercial Mowers is a leading commercial and industrial turf care equipment provider and is no stranger to partnering with RCR. The partnership between Dillon and the Ferris brand began in 2013 while competing in the dirt late model series. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the original partnership for the North Carolina-veteran driver and there’s no better way to celebrate than throwing it back to Ferris’s 2003 paint scheme that ran at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“It’s really special to throwback with Ferris of all partners because they were a part of the beginning of my racing career. They’ve been there from the beginning in supporting me all the way back from my dirt late model days and dirt modify days. We have a winning history together and to have them on board for a throwback scheme since they’ve been so vital to my career is a cool opportunity to share at Darlington,” said Dillon.
The links between Ferris and racing in general run deep. The company’s patented suspension system is inspired by stock- car racing. That suspension system is unlike any other in the outdoor power equipment industry and is prized by lawn contractors for its comfort, traction and mowing efficiency.
“It’s cool to bring back their roots and have them on board in Darlington,” said Dillon.
The Xfinity Series race at Darlington Motor Speedway will air on Saturday, May 13, on FOX starting at 1:30 p.m. EST.
