Austin Dillon is turning up to be the surprise package for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs as he recorded back-to-back finishes in the first two races of the playoffs.
Many might have put Dillon in the category to be one of the drivers who would be eliminated from the Round of 16. But after two races into the playoffs, this thought needs revision.
Dillon is, in fact, on course to make it to the Round of 12 after two back-to-back top-five finished in the first two races. After his runner up finish at Darlington Raceway, Dillon finished 4th at Richmond.
What makes the feat more commendable is that Dillon suffered a pit road speeding penalty and missed pit road another time.
“I wish I wouldn’t have had that speeding penalty. But we overcame that. … What a night for our team. I’ve been pretty confident in this team all year and now it’s starting to show more and more.”
The No. 3 driver even led 55 laps en route to his finish. Now that he has performed in this track, Dillon labeled this track as his “favorite”.
“Richmond used to be my least favorite track. I hated it. I couldn’t do good in it in Xfinity. … I literally hated this place. Now, it is my favorite.”
Dillon is now 36 points above the cutline.
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