Austin Dillon recently detailed how a newly unified approach among leaders is pushing Richard Childress Racing, or RCR, toward becoming a true powerhouse team in the Cup Series. Speaking from North Carolina, Dillon underscored how leadership changes, key personnel, and recent performance gains are setting RCR up for a pivotal leap, making the phrase “Austin Dillon powerhouse team RCR” especially relevant as 2026 approaches.
Leadership Changes Bolster RCR’s Foundation
Dillon pointed out that both the No. 3 and No. 8 teams are benefiting from a blend of veteran experience and fresh perspectives. He highlighted the influence of Jim Pohlman, Richard Boswell, technical director Johnny Klausmeier, and Andy Street, noting how their close collaboration is elevating the organization. Dillon explained:
“Obviously, bringing Pohlman in as the 8 crew chief, Richard Boswell and him and (technical director) Johnny Klausmeier and Andy Street all working really closely together, I think that is a powerhouse team between the four of them.” said Austin Dillon
A major part of RCR’s foundation is also the return of Mike Dillon, Austin’s father and the longtime competition director, who will become more involved again. Mike Dillon’s tenure has already shaped RCR’s strategic direction, and his renewed engagement is viewed as a stabilizing factor as the team looks to move up the rankings.
Performance in 2025 Shows Progress and Challenges
Austin Dillon’s 2025 season showed the beginnings of positive results, though not a full breakthrough. He collected a win at Richmond, ended up with five top ten finishes, and secured one top five, improving his average finish from 22.6 in the prior year to 20.8. The gains, while modest, are a sign to his team that their efforts are taking effect and can serve as a launching pad for further improvement.
Teammate Kyle Busch, also key to RCR’s mission, faced greater struggles in 2025. Busch finished 21st in points—a career low—and managed just three top-five results, with an average finish of 17.9, his second worst in over two decades. Although Dillon wrapped up the year with a strong top five at Phoenix, he emphasized that the team’s mindset is rooted in the drive to “get better” and concentrate on momentum heading into 2026.
The Impact of Jim Pohlman’s Next Gen Experience
A significant shift for RCR is the incoming return of Jim Pohlman as crew chief for the No. 8 car alongside Kyle Busch, coming back from JR Motorsports where he worked with Justin Allgaier after the 2025 Xfinity Series season. Pohlman’s move takes him from an Xfinity Series championship-winning partnership back into the Cup Series, and crucially, back to a team where he has deep technical roots.
Austin Dillon described how Pohlman’s prior experience developing the Next Gen car with RCR positions him to make a swift transition back into the fold. In discussion with reporter Bob Pockrass, Dillon said:
“Jim was actually working with us when we, at RCR started helping develop the Next Gen car. So he has a quite a bit of time, I feel like, with the process of the Next Gen car and what it takes.”
“Hopefully get a test in, but I think he has history with the Next Gen cars, when he was at RCR, so that’s probably important. But I think we have enough structure around him to help get him going”
Pohlman first started with RCR in engineering roles dating back to 2003, eventually leading research and development for the team and playing a critical part in the technical evolution behind the Next Gen cars. With Pohlman at the helm and the newly integrated leadership, both Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch stand to benefit from a wealth of knowledge as RCR looks to return to form.
RCR’s Path Forward with Renewed Teamwork
The collaboration among key personalities—like Richard Boswell, technical director Johnny Klausmeier, and crew chief Andy Street—reinforces RCR’s commitment to building a sustainable path to success. As RCR continues to synthesize new leadership with long-standing experience, their adaptability will be tested through the rest of this season and beyond.
For the powerhouse team at RCR, every improvement in performance and every strategic addition is evidence of a larger transformation. The next steps for Austin Dillon and his team will revolve around leveraging this blend of stability and innovation, with a clear focus on elevating their competitive edge in upcoming NASCAR seasons.
