Austin Dillon claimed his first win of the 2025 NASCAR season at Richmond Raceway despite competing with a broken rib sustained from a ladder accident. His surprising revelation came during the winner’s interview, where he shared details about the injury and how it has affected his recent races.
Details of the Injury and Racing Through Pain
In the post-race press conference, Dillon explained how the injury occurred just before the season started.
“I don’t like to talk about it, but I fell off a ladder pulling my bow case off, getting ready for hunting season,”
he said. He added that the fall knocked the breath out of him and confirmed the injury after an X-ray showed a broken seventh rib on his right side. Despite the pain, Dillon continued to compete, racing at Iowa Speedway and Watkins Glen.
“I’ve been racing with it. It’s been pretty painful. I raced Watkins Glen, Iowa, then here. Should be good. It’s made pretty big improvements over the last two weeks,”
Dillon stated.
Performance Across Recent Races Leading to Richmond Win
Dillon finished tenth at Iowa Speedway and 15th at Watkins Glen before his breakthrough victory at Richmond. During the 400-lap race, he led 107 laps, the most he has ever led in a single event, setting a personal record for the Richard Childress Racing driver. Unlike his 2024 Richmond win, this race saw no major controversies as Dillon maintained control and earned his sixth career victory. The win dramatically shifted Dillon’s standing from 28th in the championship rankings to securing a spot in the NASCAR Cup playoffs.
Implications for Dillon and the NASCAR Season
This triumph marks Dillon’s sixth playoff appearance and his first since 2022, renewing his chances for a strong season finish. Racing with a fractured rib highlights Dillon’s determination and toughness, factors likely to inspire competitors and fans alike as the playoffs approach. His performance under such physical strain could impact how drivers manage injuries in future contests and adds a deeper narrative to the 2025 NASCAR season.
