Preview

NASCAR O'Reilly

Kentucky: Dillon's proving ground

NASCAR Cup drivers will not be at Kentucky Speedway, which is a benefit for Austin Dillon and Sam Hornish Jr. as the two Nationwide points leaders go head-to-head

Published: Sep 20, 2013, 1:39 AM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Austin Dillon

Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Kentucky 300 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNEWS) at Kentucky Speedway is just what Austin Dillon needs.

Dillon is 17 points behind leader Sam Hornish Jr. in the standings and is in need of a win to rein Hornish in or overtake him and the lead. Kentucky is the best place for that to happen having scored his only two career victories in the series at the 1.5-mile speedway when he swept both races in 2012, both of which he won from the pole.

“This battle has been really tight this year and it’s really anyone’s championship to win,” Dillon said. “I’ve really enjoyed battling with Sam Hornish Jr. all year, along with the other competitors. I’ve had some success at Kentucky Speedway in the past, so I hope I can capitalize this weekend and gain some points.”

With no NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers entered in the race, there hasn’t been a better time all season for Dillon to strike.

In addition to his two wins last season, he has one other start – this June – where he finished sixth. In Loop Data categories, he’s leads all other NASCAR Nationwide drivers at Kentucky in average finish (2.7), average running position (2.9), percentage of laps led (48.2%) and driver rating (133.4). In the June 2012 race, he scored a perfect rating of 150.0.

Regardless of whether Dillon finds his way to Victory Lane or not this weekend, it would surprise no one to see him have a strong showing … and perhaps whittle away at Hornish’s lead.

Staff Report - NASCAR Wire Service

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Michael McDowell to pilot no. 51 SEM Chevy SS in Loudon

Next article KBM's colt looking to make 45th NNS start a memorable one

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Brazilian GP

46 min

On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1

Raul Fernandez still compromised after Indonesia finger injury: “I’m not at 100%”

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Australian GP

1 h

Raul Fernandez still compromised after Indonesia finger injury: “I’m not at 100%”

MotoGP can’t simply copy F1’s Drive to Survive success – Chase Carey

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Australian GP

2 h

MotoGP can’t simply copy F1’s Drive to Survive success – Chase Carey

Marc Marquez's mind games with Jorge Martin: "If you're fast, you don't need team orders"

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Australian GP

2 h

Marc Marquez's mind games with Jorge Martin: "If you're fast, you don't need team orders"

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts