DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Ty Dillon wants to be at the forefront of helping usher in a new era of NASCAR.
As the sport enters the 2018 season with an influx of young talent ready to step into the spotlight in the aftermath of a veteran driver exodus, Dillon sees it as an opportunity to shine.
“It’s happening right now,” Dillon said earlier this week. “Last year got the ball rolling. Now it’s here with the biggest driver the sport has ever seen stepping and four or five new guys stepping in. The Clash viewership was up, which is a big deal. I was pulling in and out of the gates today and tons of motorhomes were coming into the Daytona 500 and there are going to be tons of fans here, too.
“So the fact that our fans are excited about the new age that is here and not stopping I think is great for our sport.”
Dillon is only in his mid-20’s even though he’s been around the top tiers of the sport for years starting in the Camping World Truck Series before his ascension to the Xfinity Series and now the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with Germain Racing. He has been at the forefront of finding ways to connect with fans, build his base and extend his brand, an initiative that extends this year with the creation of a video blog or VLOG as it’s technically called.
“The first episode just came out,” he said. “It’s been really cool. We started from the time I left my house. I left the fireplace going and the coffee pot going because I was so anxious to get here. I’ve been trying to capture as much raw moments of my life and as far as what I’m going through as a new dad and being in racing.
“It’s opening up my life to fans and allow them to see me, and if they like me or not, to interact and create a closer relationship. The videos and vlog will shift and change as people tell me what they like to see and don’t want to see. Hopefully have fun with it.”
Dillon has also been added to the Drivers Council and will now have a bigger voice in talking to and working with the sanctioning body on important topics and issues.
“I’m excited just because (inclusion) was voted on by drivers,” he said. “That means a lot to be voted on by your peers. I care a lot about the sport; it’s been a part of my whole life. Hopefully, I can add to the conversation.
“I’m big on listening. I think there’s a lot I’m going to learn from it. I have a lot of great ideas, but I think for most of the year I’ll just be listening and learning and soaking it all in. Hopefully I’ll learn enough that if I get voted back in I can add some depth and context about what is going on in our sport.”
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But of course, in all sports, the absolute for any athlete or team is based on performance and success. Dillon is hoping for greater improvement in that area this season as the Germain team looks to step up its game.
New crew chief Matt Borland brings a different perspective to the table and Dillon is as optimistic as he’s ever been about the start of a new season.
“I know I have the ability to do it,” said Dillon, who starts 23rd in Sunday’s Daytona 500. “It’s just making sure I stay in my process, stay in my lane and we’re going to grow at Germain. Our cars are going to get better and I know some things that I’m going to do better that are going to be better than last year.
“I’m excited for the growth of this year, and now I feel like I’m finally getting a grasp on what it takes to have an opportunity at the top level.”
