Ty Dillon is entering the final round of the first-ever NASCAR In-Season Challenge, with the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG taking place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Driving the No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Kaulig Racing, Dillon has made a remarkable run through the tournament, defeating top competitors including Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, and John Hunter Nemechek.
Though Dillon may not have often grabbed headlines with flashy finishes this season, his patient style and persistent pressure on frontrunners have propelled him from a last-place starting position of 32 competitors all the way to the showdown. This final race at Indianapolis could be the most pivotal of his career, as he aims not only for victory but also the $1 million bonus that would elevate his status in NASCAR.
Dillon Reflects on Comfort and Confidence at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Ty Dillon shared his thoughts before the race in an interview with Speedway Digest, expressing enthusiasm about competing at Indianapolis once again. He highlighted his previous success on the track, including victory in the Xfinity Series, and his comfort driving on the iconic venue’s large oval.
“I’m looking forward to this weekend. Our team is excited, not just the No. 10 team, but everyone at Kaulig Racing. I’ve won at Indianapolis before and kissed the bricks in the Xfinity Series and every time I’ve gone to Indy, on the big track, I’ve felt very comfortable. I ran Indy last year, so it’s one of the few tracks I’ve ran in the last year, everywhere else,” —Ty Dillon, NASCAR driver
“I’ve had a whole year off from racing and you feel like you’re a mile behind and trying to catch up all weekend. I love going back to the tracks where I had an opportunity to run last year. Indy is a place I really look forward to racing and think we can have a good run this weekend and give ourselves a shot at winning the In-Season Challenge and walking away with the million,” he added.
Dillon, a full-time driver in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, has steadily climbed NASCAR’s ranks over the years. His experience includes the notable Xfinity Series win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2014 and ongoing competition with Kaulig Racing.
Ty Dillon Supports Kyle Busch’s Proposal to Limit Driver Assistance Tools
In addition to focusing on the In-Season Challenge, Dillon publicly aligned himself with fellow racer Kyle Busch regarding a controversial debate over the use of rearview cameras in NASCAR’s Next Gen cars. Busch suggested drivers should have to choose between a spotter or a rearview camera rather than using both, arguing that onboard cameras give an unfair advantage by making blocking too easy and diminishing racing quality.
Dillon supported this stance, saying he prefers relying on a spotter and that the presence of in-car cameras encourages aero-blocking, which he believes undermines competitive racing. Drawing from his dirt racing roots, Dillon emphasized the authenticity of racing without technological aids.
“No, I’m with Kyle. I would go with spotter. These are incar cameras. Yeah. The in-car cameras, I think they’re too good. Like it’s made the blocking ridiculous. And I grew up dirt racing, so we had nothing. You know we had a race,” he said on Door Bumper Clear podcast.
He also referenced a recent incident in Chicago where spotters missed a stranded car on the track, which led to a serious crash, underscoring the challenges and risks involved in relying solely on spotters or cameras.
What This Means for Dillon’s Career and NASCAR’s Future
Ty Dillon’s performance in the NASCAR In-Season Challenge at Indianapolis presents a significant opportunity to boost his career by winning both the high-profile race and the $1 million prize. His patient and tactical driving approach, combined with experience on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, gives him a strong chance in this intense competition.
Meanwhile, his vocal support for changes in driver-assistance technology signals an ongoing debate within NASCAR regarding how to maintain fair and competitive racing. Dillon’s views highlight the tension between modern technology and traditional racing skills.
The outcome of the In-Season Challenge will not only affect Dillon’s standing but also contribute to shaping NASCAR’s evolving landscape as the sport balances innovation with competitive integrity.
