Austin Dillon won Saturday’s rain-shortened NASCAR Xfinity Series LTi Printing 250 at Michigan International Speedway to give Richard Childress Racing its 79th series win and first since 2016.
Dillon led three times for 18 laps and was out front when the race was declared official 34 laps from the finish due to rain. He was running low on fuel before the rain hit the track.
“It’s always amazing to get back to Victory Lane,” said Dillon, who scored his ninth career series win and first since 2016. “We’ve been working really hard at Richard Childress Racing to get back into the Winner’s Circle and as an organization, we really thought that if we could put Nick Harrison and myself together we could get there. It worked because this is only our second race together this year and here we are.”
The race, which saw the start be delayed by nearly three hours for rain, featured the rules package that included special air ducts, a taller rear spoiler and engine restrictor plates. There were 14 lead changes among nine drivers.
“The new package we ran this weekend worked,” Dillon said. “The fans had to love how tight we were all running together. It was definitely difficult to pass that lead guy. I thought it was fun. It reminded me of Go Kart racing back in the day. We knew we were taking a chance by not pitting and gambled that the rain would come. Luckily, it worked out for us this time.”
Dillon’s teammate Daniel Hemric came home in second to match his career-best finish.
“I just didn’t quite execute on my end to put this team in Victory Lane today,” Hemric said. “It’s a great day for RCR having a one-two finish.”
Cole Custer, Ryan Reed and Paul Menard rounded out the top five.
Kyle Busch, who led 29 laps from the pole, finished sixth with Tyler Reddick, Kevin Harvick, Justin Allgaier and Ryan Truex completing the top 10.
Kaz Grala led five laps late in the going in his third start behind the wheel of the No. 61 Ford for Fury Race Cars. He finished 12 in the end, but not before having to start at the rear of the field due to rain canceling qualifying. He also had to battle back from an uncontrolled tire during a pit stop.
Series points leader Elliott Sadler finished outside the top 10 for the first time this season, in 30th, after making contact with Alex Bowman’s No. 23 Chevrolet and then the wall early in Stage 3. Sadler now leads Custer by 41 points.
The Xfinity Series returns to action next Sunday at Iowa Speedway.
