Richard Childress Racing not only has planted it’s stock car roots in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series but also in the Xfinity Series. In fact, the team fields up to five different drivers that compete in various races throughout the season. As you may now know, Sprint Cup mainstays are not allowed to accumulate points in the Xfinity Series. Richard Childress Racing has three full-time racers that give it their all on Saturdays.
The organization’s three full-time Xfinity Series drivers that compete throughout the year are Ty Dillon, Austin Dillon’s younger brother, rookie Brandon Jones, and Brendan Gaughan. The trio of drivers have been successful and consistent throughout the 2016 campaign. In fact, the Richard Childress Racing teammates all reside inside the top ten Xfinity Series point standings.
#3 Ty Dillon:
Ty Dillon sits the highest of the group in the points chase. Currently the #3 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats sponsored racer sits in the third spot. He has guided his Chevrolet to 10 top 10’s in just 16 races. Dillon also has tallied five top five’s at the mid-way point, in the run for the championship.
The youngster fared well at Richmond where he almost won but finished runner-up to NASCAR Sprint Cup fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. He also repeated his best performance at Iowa six weeks later, finishing one spot behind Sam Hornish Jr. in his dominating return to racing. Ty Dillon also has thrived in the qualifying round. The one lap wonder has 11 top 10’s in his sixteen attempts and has captured one pole position because of his efforts at Daytona International Speedway.
The one thing that the improving racer is missing on his 2016 resume’ is a win. A victory would all but assure Ty Dillon that he and his team would be competing in the Xfinity Series’ Chase. Judging from the consistency he has shown, I fully expect Dillon to nab one or two victories before the playoffs begin.
#62 Brendan Gaughan:
Brendan Gaughan is a seasoned driver that acts as the anchor for the well rounded Richard Childress Racing crew. The 18 year veteran has seen plenty of time in the big leagues as well as the Xfinity Series. This year marks his comeback to a full-time Xfinity schedule.
The change back to the lower tiered series hasn’t been a problem for Brendan Gaughan. Halfway through the campaign he has reeled off two top five’s and seven top 10’s. His best performances were at the two super speedways on the circuit. The wise ole racer found a way to take fifth in both of the contests.
The key to his fifth place position in the point standings is his ability to keep his #62 South Point Hotel and Casino Chevrolet in the race and out of the garage. Brendan Gaughan has finished every event that has been put in front of him in 2016. Unfortunately, the race to the playoffs doesn’t always award consistency. Gaughan will also have to find a way to capture a win if he hopes to guarantee himself a spot in the Chase.
#33 Brandon Jones:
Rookie Richard Childress Racing speedster Brandon Jones is having one heck of a start to his inaugural year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In a short period of time, Jones has found away to breach the top 10 in points. He currently sits in the seventh spot just 13 marks back of JR Motorsport’s Justin Allgaier.
The #33 Military Discount/Comet Gasket sponsored rookie has participated in all of the 16 contests on the schedule. To his credit, the 19 year old has managed to mirror his veteran teammate Brendan Gaughan. Jones has finished all 16 of the events he has raced in. The consistency at such a young age can only mean the future is bright for the greenhorn driver.
Brandon Jones has has yet to capture a top five finish but has seven top ten’s to his name. His best performances seem to have came at the larger venues, including the super speedways. Jones started seventh and finished in seventh in the opening race of the season at Daytona.
The racing sponge also figured something about guiding his hot-rod around the larger ovals as well. The rest of his top ten’s have come at tracks like Michigan, Pocono, Charlotte Raceway, and Las Vegas. Besides a few bumps in the road at Talladega and Dover, the new addition to Richard Childress Racing has done nothing but impressed his fellow racers. Skies the limit and with a few breaks and some top five performances, anything can happen.
