DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The NASCAR Cup Series regular season wraps up this Saturday, August 23, with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. For many drivers, the race represents a high-stakes opportunity to secure a playoff spot, creating intense pressure just one night before the event.
Among those who can approach the weekend with confidence is Austin Dillon, who recently clinched a playoff berth after a commanding victory at Richmond Raceway, his first in three years. This win not only secured his entry but also marked a turnaround for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), which has struggled this season.
Austin Dillon’s Win Shifts RCR’s Playoff Prospects
After losing playoff eligibility earlier in the season due to a controversial Richmond Raceway win, Dillon’s recent clean victory has reinvigorated RCR’s campaign and offered hope for the team’s future. With Dillon locked in, the team can now concentrate on propelling Kyle Busch and the No. 8 car back to victory lane at Daytona.
Busch, who is enduring a career-long postseason win drought spanning 82 races, has yet to conquer Daytona, a track that has continually eluded him despite numerous competitive runs.
“It’s pretty exciting, just getting to enjoy it and come into (Daytona) knowing we get to go run in the playoffs,”
Dillon said.
“(With) plenty of Rebel Bourbon, that’s for damn sure,”
Busch joked when asked how he would celebrate finally winning at Daytona.
I might be worse than Brad Keselowski after a championship.
The Challenge of Breaking Kyle Busch’s Daytona Winless Spell
Despite Busch’s extensive success on the NASCAR circuit, the Daytona 500 remains the elusive title in his career. He has now gone 17 years without a Cup win at Daytona, with close calls adding frustration alongside optimism.
“It’s frustrating for sure, having so many times that we’ve been close and not being able to get the job done,”
Busch admitted.
That makes it frustrating, but it gives you a sense of optimism as well too, knowing that you’ve been so close and you can probably be close again. You just need to put yourself in the circumstance that gets you to victory lane first.
Last year, Busch narrowly missed snapping this drought after a critical defensive block failed on the backstretch while he was leading.
“There’s moments like that where you can go back and rethink it 1,000 different ways, but that one seemed pretty simple that I just missed,”
Busch reflected.
Team Dynamics: Austin Dillon’s Role in Supporting Kyle Busch’s Playoff Push
With last year’s disappointment behind him, Busch benefits in 2024 from having Dillon, a playoff-bound teammate, by his side to assist during the grueling 400-mile race. The partnership within RCR provides a strategic advantage as both drivers aim to make a strong showing at Daytona.
“I think it was this year for the 500, (Dillon) was like, ‘you know the last guy who had won on their 20th (Daytona 500) start? I’m pushing you; I’m pushing you all the way there,’”
Busch recalled.
So Austin’s definitely a company guy and all for trying to get me my 500 trophy, but also this weekend to get us into the playoffs.
“It’s a game changer for RCR if we get two cars in the playoffs,”
Dillon said.
It just flips the whole momentum of where we’re at as a company. So yeah, I’ll be helping all I can, and my little brother’s (Ty Dillon) out there too trying to help him some.
Dillon stressed that his support extends beyond pushing on the track, pointing out how trust and fuel strategy are crucial for Busch’s chances.
I think (it’s) the trustworthiness, Dillon explained.
If I can be there for him to know that I’m probably not going to pull out (of line) at the inopportune time, it gives him a feeling of comfort and a buffer there to be a little freer of the moves that he makes. And then in the fuel mileage side of it, maybe I’m the one taking the brunt of carrying, burning the fuel, if it comes down to something like that; burning the fuel where he can save behind me.
Austin Dillon’s Ambitions and Team Priorities at Daytona
Though Dillon hopes to secure his own victory at Daytona — where he already has two Cup wins — the priority remains advancing Busch’s playoff mission. Success for both cars would be transformative for RCR’s season momentum.
“Daytona is so special to win at, and I’d be remiss to say that I want it for my guys if we have a shot this weekend,”
Dillon said.
But I know if the No. 8’s there, that’s our main focus: trying to get another RCR car in (the playoffs).
Looking Ahead: The Stakes for Kyle Busch and RCR at Daytona
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 signals more than just the closing of the NASCAR regular season; it represents a critical turning point for RCR. A strong performance by Busch, supported by Dillon and his brother Ty, could inject new energy into the team and challenge Busch’s long-standing struggles at Daytona.
For Busch, the race offers a chance to rewrite the narrative of his career by conquering one of its toughest hurdles, while for RCR, it could mark a pivotal moment to revive their competitive edge heading into the playoffs.
