Ty Dillon is preparing for another run at the iconic Daytona 500, aiming for a career-defining win with Kaulig Racing as he returns to the team for a second consecutive year. As he readies himself for the challenge at Daytona International Speedway, Dillon reflects on the value of consistency, family legacy, and the unique energy of racing’s biggest stage, all while leveraging his growing experience and the lessons learned throughout his journey in NASCAR.
Returning to Familiar Ground with Kaulig Racing
For Ty Dillon, entering the Daytona 500 with Kaulig Racing represents a significant milestone—it’s one of the few times in his career where continuity has been on his side. This year marks his second straight season driving the No. 10 Chevrolet, a rare occurrence after years of switching organizations. Dillon emphasized the confidence that comes from returning with the same team and the ease of working with familiar people and systems, rather than having to learn everything from scratch.
“It’s huge. It’s probably the first time in six years that I am working with the same team two years in a row, and I am not showing up to Daytona trying to learn names, functions, systems, and things that are going on with the team and how everything operates. It usually takes a couple of months to even feel comfortable with a new team. Unfortunately, I have a lot of experience doing that, but don’t have as much experience coming back with a team for the second year. It’s a lot easier doing this than it is learning a new team for sure. It just helps the confidence in knowing that I pretty much have the same guys that I raced this race with last year and we can build off of things from there and we can build on past experiences for the first time in a long time.”
— Ty Dillon, Driver, Kaulig Racing
Personal Growth: Balancing Career and Family
Dillon’s perspective on racing—and life—has evolved over the years. Now married and a father of three, he credits his family for reshaping how he approaches both his career and his responsibilities. Through these life changes, he’s found deeper motivation, understanding that the legacy he leaves as a driver and as a parent carries weight long after checkered flags drop.
“I think most people go from being very selfish and everything is about you to you have a child or you get married. First, you get married and it’s less about you and it’s about your spouse. Then you have a child and you realize nothing is about you anymore and sometimes that can be a shock. And then you realize the things you do from the point you have children matter so much beyond your life. You are leaving an example for your child behind. So now I look at things as ‘okay how would I want my child if they are going through a career or whatever they are chasing in their dreams, how would I want them to approach it’. I would want them to get an example from their dad and how would he treat people, treat his career, treat his wife. I want them to see that in the best light possible so that they leave a good legacy behind. You just start changing your view and I believe that is the beauty of life and having a family and having kids.”
— Ty Dillon, Driver, Kaulig Racing
The Unique Excitement of Daytona Week
For Dillon, no racing experience compares to the thrill of the Daytona 500. He treasures the intense atmosphere and the fanfare that surrounds race day, especially the high-energy moments just before the green flag waves. Dillon knows that being part of such a globally recognized event is a privilege, and he embraces the rush of emotions that come with it, mindful that few have the chance to stand in the center of the racing universe.
“I think the best part of it for me is driver intros and the madness of the fans around the cars and the energy around the gentlemen start your engines, the pace laps and the start of the green flag. You won’t get that anywhere else in your life. That feeling, that high, that chaos when everybody is buzzing. I think finding perspective that there are only a few times you are going to get to do this in your life. It’s not going to happen every year of your whole life, so you have to take it in. I look forward to that moment every year and I let it get ahold of me, I get emotional, I get anxious, I get nervous because how many people get that opportunity to be in the middle of the spotlight of one of the biggest events in the world.”
— Ty Dillon, Driver, Kaulig Racing
Adjusting to Offseason Changes and Technical Challenges
This year’s preparation for the Daytona 500 has brought both uncertainty and opportunities for growth. Dillon notes that while his team has lost certain technical alliances—specifically with Chevrolet—they have also gained new advantages. The offseason has been a time of adaptation, as the team navigates changes with new Chevrolet bodies and integrates fresh technologies and approaches for the upcoming campaign. Despite these variables, Dillon believes the core of their car remains familiar, and that effective communication within the team will play a pivotal role in their success.
“I think as many things that are important that we lost, we gained just as many unique abilities. We won’t find out total gain and loss of what has happened until throughout the season. I think it’s a measure that we as a team are all like, what is it going to be like. Everyone has a new body with Chevy, so we don’t really understand where we are going to be at but qualifying at Daytona will teach us a little bit. We are going to have to go to all the tracks at this point to see what is different. I think the car is so similar underneath the body that you should be able to set up similar to what you found success with (before). There are going to be some differences, different programs, usages of different technology from different things. So we are going to have to navigate that and to be very clear in our communications, but also there is a point when you get away from over thinking things you can find some clarity within a team. I think that might help us too. I think there is going to be a loss in not having the technical alliance from Chevy, but we can grow from that.”
— Ty Dillon, Driver, Kaulig Racing
Pursuing a Family Legacy at the Daytona 500
With nearly a decade of attempts and several close calls, Dillon is acutely aware of what a Daytona 500 victory would mean for his career and his family. The significance of the Harley J. Earl trophy resonates deeply, not only for the prestige it carries but also for the opportunity to further the Dillon family’s storied history at Daytona. The desire to see his name etched alongside that of his relatives remains a powerful motivator as he continues to chase a win that could define his racing legacy.
“Its massive. You know, I have been attempting this race….this will be my 10th or 11th time in the Daytona 500 and I have had some close opportunities, never been in the top-two coming to the white flag, but real close. Top-three or top-four, and you feel it. It would mean a lot to me because my family has had so much success here. And it’s one of those races that changes your life forever, no matter what is going on. It would be awesome to be a part of the history here with the Harley J. Earl trophy and to have your name etched on it and be able to lift that big trophy up.”
— Ty Dillon, Driver, Kaulig Racing
A Rivalry That Inspires Greatness
Among the many storylines leading into the Daytona 500 is the dynamic between Ty Dillon and his brother Austin Dillon. Both drivers have dedicated years to NASCAR and yearn to add their names—together—on one of the sport’s most coveted awards. Winning the Harley J. Earl trophy would not only elevate Ty’s own career but would also cement the Dillon brothers’ legacy as one of the rare family duos to achieve such a feat.
“It would be nice to have a trophy too. It would be nice to have a Harley J. Earl with both our names on it. Two Dillons on that trophy would be special, and I don’t know if brothers have done it, so it would be cool to do it first if nobody has done it. I have been putting in my time for this race with ten or eleven attempts, and this obviously means a whole lot to our family and our race team as a family’s legacy. So, I would love to win this race.”
— Ty Dillon, Driver, Kaulig Racing
Looking Ahead: The Road to Daytona and Beyond
As Ty Dillon readies for the green flag at Daytona alongside Kaulig Racing, the blend of stability, family purpose, and competitive drive fuels his pursuit of a breakthrough. With a focus on clear communication and learning from each outing, the No. 10 Chevrolet crew will work to convert collective experience into results that honor both team and tradition. While challenges inevitably lie ahead, Dillon’s commitment to legacy, growth, and the dream of raising the Harley J. Earl trophy keep his ambitions squarely fixed on making history at the Daytona 500.
