Austin Dillon, at the heart of Richard Childress Racing, is facing mounting pressure after a turbulent start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. With only twelve races behind them, Dillon and his team have found themselves in an uncharacteristic position—22nd in the driver standings with just 227 points. Despite flashes of brilliance that hint at their potential, including a single victory at Richmond, Richard Childress Racing is searching for answers amid fierce competition and rising expectations. The struggles are evident in their on-track performance, prompting both introspection and determination as the team seeks to reverse their fortunes.
Richard Childress Racing, once a powerhouse in NASCAR’s storied history, has faced an uphill battle this year. Austin Dillon, grandson of team owner Richard Childress, shoulders much of the team’s legacy. Known for his Daytona 500 win in 2018 and other significant achievements, Dillon has seen better seasons, but the current campaign has tested his resilience and patience. His best finish of seventh at Texas Motor Speedway offers only a glimpse of what the team is capable of when everything clicks, but persistent mid-pack results have left them chasing the pack rather than leading it.
This drop in performance hasn’t gone unnoticed. When discussing the team’s struggles, many point out that while other chevrolet/”>Chevrolet teams, such as Hendrick Motorsports, continue to dominate, Richard Childress Racing has not matched their pace or consistency. The team’s struggle becomes increasingly obvious when looking across the Cup Series landscape, as their singles victory at Richmond serves more as an exception than a symbol of resurgence. Austin Dillon himself has expressed a sense of urgency, acknowledging the difficult spot they find themselves in and recognizing that turning things around will require more than business as usual.
On a recent episode of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Dillon candidly addressed the challenges he’s faced, especially in qualifying. He reflected,
“I used to qualify on the pole all the time in the Xfinity series and even in the cup series I had a couple of poles there for a while but we’re trying in the simulator to do a better job of modelling what we think qualifying is going to be like, getting more aggressive on it, but it’s just so tight, man.”
This look back at his Xfinity Series days, where he captured five poles in 2013 and posted strong average starting positions, highlights just how steep the current hill is for the team. In the past, Dillon routinely started races near the front, with an average starting position of 8.6 in the National series—a far cry from this year’s 19.3 average.
The implications of these qualifying struggles reach much deeper than simple starting spots. When drivers qualify poorly, the race becomes exponentially harder, as track position is crucial in modern NASCAR. Dillon’s best start this season came at Talladega, where he began fifth, but more often he finds himself battling in the midfield, hampered by early traffic and fighting just to stay in reach of crucial stage points. This pattern repeats from track to track, from Darlington, where he finished 24th, to Texas, where a 14th place finish did little to boost their season hopes.
What separates Richard Childress Racing’s performance this year isn’t just the individual struggles of its drivers, but a systemic challenge affecting the entire organization. Even as Austin Dillon works through his qualifying issues, his teammate Kyle Busch, another respected veteran, is faring slightly better. Busch has managed an average start of 14.5 and multiple top-10 qualifying spots, including a second-place start, suggesting the cars have speed but something, perhaps subtle differences in setup or approach, continues to hold Dillon and the No. 3 team back.
Dillon laid bare his mindset and how the challenges have evolved, sharing,
“You slip here or there and it’s behind, so, I’ve done studying but I think less studying sometimes because you start thinking about every piece of the lap and if you just go out there and drive it, it’ll probably you get more return on your investment sometimes.”
It’s the kind of honesty that underscores how mentally demanding this sport can be, driving home the point that confidence and instinct often matter as much as technical precision.
For Richard Childress and those closely observing the team, every event in the 2025 season has become a test of character and problem-solving. The pressure is palpable, as a storied team now finds itself fighting for relevance against organizations riding momentum and success. NASCAR’s landscape is as competitive as ever, with powerhouse teams like Hendrick and Joe Gibbs Racing setting a relentless pace, making it harder for Richard Childress Racing to play catch-up.
Missing out on stage points is one of the most painful consequences of their qualifying woes. Each stage offers critical opportunities to collect points that could boost a driver’s playoff hopes. When asked about this, Dillon acknowledged, both openly and earnestly, that getting ahead early is more vital than ever for Richard Childress Racing if they want a shot at the championship. He knows that with tracks like Charlotte on the horizon—places where he’s enjoyed previous success—there’s still a window for turning their luck around, provided the team can qualify better and seize precious points in the opening segments.
Looking ahead, Dillon’s focus is clear.
“Personally, I love Homestead as the final race of the year. It is such a cool place, the weather’s nice, it’s just cool to be down there at that time of year. That race track is like a racer’s track, you can just find speed all over that track, and it’s just come into its own as one of the best tracks that we go to, and it’s a fun track to race on from a driver’s standpoint. I think it is good to move the championship around,”
he explained. This optimism about the future is emblematic of the Richard Childress approach—embracing change, adjusting, and looking for the next opportunity even during difficult stretches.
There’s no escaping the reality that Richard Childress Racing, after several decades of competitive excellence, now finds itself at a crossroads. With a singular win so far this year, the team is more focused than ever on diagnosing their struggles, refining their approach, and drawing on every ounce of experience and technology at their disposal. The move to Miami for the season finale, announced for 2026 and beyond, has reinvigorated not only Dillon but much of the racing community. Fans and drivers alike are reveling in the prospect of championship battles unfolding at a dynamic, multi-grooved track that rewards skill, aggression, and adaptability—the very essence of what Richard Childress Racing aspires to restore.
Nevertheless, the shadow of recent underachievement is impossible to ignore. The NASCAR Cup Series is ruthless; teams must adapt quickly or get left behind. Despite the massive resources, decades of expertise, and committed leadership from Richard Childress, there is no guarantee of immediate turnaround. The path forward requires not only technical innovation and driver improvement, but also a renewed sense of belief and unity within the organization.
Observers point out that, statistically, Richard Childress Racing’s deficit is not insurmountable, but the clock is ticking. Every race that passes without a strong finish or stage points is another missed opportunity, another week where momentum shifts further away. For Austin Dillon, the stakes are deeply personal, given his family’s deep roots in the organization and his role as both a leader and flag bearer for the next generation of Richard Childress Racing.
Quotes from within the paddock reinforce the urgency and determination fueling this season’s effort. One crew member, speaking anonymously, observed,
“We know what this team is capable of. It’s not about talent or effort. It’s about putting all the pieces together when it counts. Richard Childress expects nothing less.”
Meanwhile, competing teams have called Richard Childress Racing’s struggles “surprising,” but also recognize that any team with this pedigree is just one or two good weekends away from reclaiming its former status.
For NASCAR’s countless high school-aged fans, Richard Childress Racing’s fight resonates as a lesson in perseverance, humility, and self-belief. Dillon’s open acknowledgment of his struggles—both mechanical and mental—shows younger drivers and fans alike that even at the sport’s highest levels, setbacks are part of the journey. The willingness to study, adapt, and sometimes take risks, as Dillon notes, points to a mindset that can yield long-term growth even if quick results remain elusive.
If history is any indication, Richard Childress Racing won’t settle for mediocrity. The organization’s proud legacy was built on the idea that hard work, resilience, and adaptability forge champions. Every tough race, every missed opportunity, is being poured back into the feedback loop that drives continuous improvement. Whether through simulator work, pit crew drills, or collaboration between engineers and mechanics, the energy within Richard Childress Racing is intense, focused, and absolutely unwilling to concede defeat in the face of adversity.
As the 2025 season moves toward its summer stretch, all eyes remain on Richard Childress Racing to see if they can unlock the missing ingredient that will drive them back into the playoff picture. Austin Dillon’s candid comments serve as both a rallying cry and a reality check, inspiring teammates and fans to maintain faith while acknowledging the need for urgent progress. The story of Richard Childress Racing in 2025 is far from over—it is unfolding live, lap by lap, shaped as much by persistence and grit as by pure speed.
The legacy of Richard Childress, embodied by his grandson’s resolve, is enough to keep hope alive even in the face of daunting odds. History has shown that a single breakthrough can ignite a season, turning a string of disappointments into momentum. As Dillon and the team continue their relentless efforts, the racing world watches, hopeful for a resurgence. The journey is tough, but the will to succeed is unmistakable. Whether this year brings the turnaround they strive for, or simply adds to the lessons learned for future seasons, one thing remains certain: Richard Childress Racing is not giving up. Their fight is just as fierce, their spirit just as strong, and the story of their 2025 season continues to inspire everyone who cares about the heart and soul of NASCAR competition.
