NASCAR driver Austin Dillon honored his wife, Whitney Ward Dillon, by sharing a touching message on her 36th birthday on August 19. Marking the occasion with his Austin Dillon heartfelt birthday note, the couple celebrated another milestone at their North Carolina home.
After their 2015 meeting at a racetrack, Austin and Whitney quickly became inseparable. They became engaged a year later and wed in December 2017 at Childress Vineyards. Their family has since grown to include two children: son Ace, born in June 2020, and daughter Blaize, welcomed in 2023.
On Whitney’s birthday, Austin Dillon posted a collection of photos featuring Whitney. Alongside them, he expressed his deep appreciation in an emotional note.
“Happy National Whitney Dillon Day. Happy Birthday my love. I’m so thankful God gave me you. You are my rock and I love you. Thank you for supporting me in this crazy world that we live in. Thank you for our wonderful babies and being an amazing Mom. I can’t wait for 100 more of these birthdays together,” Austin Dillon wrote.
This month has been special for the couple beyond personal celebrations. Austin secured a significant victory in the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, driving for Richard Childress Racing. Leading 107 laps, including the final 49, he finished just ahead of Alex Bowman. The win not only brought home the checkered flag with a 2.471-second lead but also locked in his place for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
Unlike his previous victory at Richmond, which ended in controversy involving Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin, Dillon’s recent win was clean and decisive. Though his prior success was overshadowed by a penalty and did not count toward playoff qualification, this year his flawless performance saw him lead the most laps of his entire season.
The Beginning of Austin and Whitney’s Relationship
Austin first crossed paths with Whitney Ward in 2015, yet they needed a bit of help getting acquainted, eventually connecting through mutual friends. During an after-race celebration in Kentucky, Austin broke the ice in memorable fashion by performing a dance inspired by Magic Mike, which left a lasting impression on Whitney.
“I mean, he took the shirt off and he did the whole nine yards and I was like, ‘No, what? This is my husband,'” Whitney said (via The Express).
Their relationship soon became public knowledge, as Austin introduced Whitney and her brother during an exhibition race at Boyd Speedway, which straddles the Georgia–Tennessee border.
“I took her brother and him in a ride around the track, and that was kind of when I felt like I’d locked in the family. When I talked on the mic that night, I said, ‘Yeah, I’m dating a girl from Soddy.’ Everybody cheered. It was cool,” Austin Dillon said in 2022 (via WDEF News 12).
Whitney Ward Dillon’s Achievements Beyond Racing
Whitney’s background includes graduating from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she was part of the cheer squad. She then went on to cheer for the Tennessee Titans in the NFL for four years. Whitney later expanded her public presence, appearing on reality television programs like Racing Wives and Austin Dillon’s Life in the Fast Lane, and also manages her jewelry line and lifestyle blog, The BFF blog.
Their journey continues to be filled with shared achievements and moments of joy, both on and off the racing circuit. The emotional outpouring seen in Austin Dillon’s heartfelt birthday note not only celebrates Whitney’s birthday but also highlights the enduring bond they share, promising more celebrations together for many years ahead.
