It is no secret that Richard Childress Racing had struggled through the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series. The famed organization, with a history of being a formidable presence at the sport’s sharp end, languished toward the bottom. Star driver Kyle Busch did not have a single victory, while the one won by Austin Dillon was mired in controversy. The team has shaken up its crew roster now, even as clamour for the retirement of Dillon, the team owner’s grandson, gets louder.
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The recent changes at the the North Carolina-based outfit are indeed a statement of intent for the future. With a talent such as Busch, a 2-time Cup Series champion, piloting the team’s #8 entry, they can be positive about making an impact.
One of the major changes is the roping in of a new crew chief for the #3 entry driven by Dillon.
Keith Rodden to VP of Competition
Johnny Klausiemer as Tech. Director
Richard Boswell as No. 3 crew chief
Randall Burnett staying on the No. 8Lots of changes for @RCRracing ⬇️ https://t.co/2WI9tNMtoK
— Davey Segal (@DaveyCenter) November 20, 2024
Richard Boswell, the former crew chief for Chase Briscoe at the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing, will join the #3 squad at RCR to uplift the team and driver’s performance. Randall Burnett will continue as Busch’s crew chief for another season.
The stock car racing fraternity reacted to the changes in Dillon’s team with scathing responses. “Force Austin Dillon to retire,” opined one fan, hinting at the prevalent notion about the 34-year-old’s abilities.
“Until certain drivers are replaced nothing else will change.” “Need a new driver for the 3 car”, wrote others.
Until certain drivers are replaced nothing else will change
— FUNHAVER (@FUNHAVER77) November 20, 2024
One fan said that the heyday Richard Childress Racing enjoyed in the sport with the late Dale Earnhardt is what they should look to emulate. “RCR has never been the same without Dale. I know Richard Childress loves his grandson, but he really needs to put Austin in some type of management position and hire a good driver.”
Summing up Dillon’s 2024 NASCAR Cup season
Interestingly, despite managing to win a race in the 2024 season, Dillon did not feature in the playoffs due to the circumstances under which his victory came at Richmond. The governing body decided to exclude the #3 driver from the postseason as a penalty for wrecking Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano during the final laps to win the event.
Apart from the controversial win, Dillon‘s year was nothing to write home about. He had one top 5 and five top 10 finishes. With an average finishing position of 22.6, he was placed P32 on the driver’s standings. This marks Dillon’s worst finish at the end of a season since his full-time Cup debut in 2014.
If the fraternity is to be believed, the Lewisville native’s time in NASCAR is up. It remains to be seen if the changes made would lift Dillon’s performances on track next season.
