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The scene of the Austin Dillon rearview mirror was a thing of beauty
The sight in front of the 27-year-old – one of the Daytona 500 win – was even sweeter.
"It's kind of like a dream," Dillon recalls Thursday, two days before Saturday night's Coke Zero Sugar 400. "You get to the checkered flag and all you see is people behind you and nothing in front of you. "
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This February victory restored the No. 3 Chevrolet, famed by Dale Earnhardt, and took Dillon to another level in a sport that is in his blood
Dillon left Victory Lane for the lightning tour that accompanies the winner of the NASCAR Super Bowl
.An interview on the New York Stock Exchange allowed him to broaden his mind while a appearance on TV on Kelly and Ryan was testing Dillon's nerves Ditto for the seventh inning of Wrigley Field
"Whenever you are nervous about certain things, you know it's a big problem" said Dillon, "It feels good to do that. It was fun.
The biggest deal, literally, was to meet Shaquille basketball legend O 'Neal, who, at 7 feet 1, outshot the 5-foot-8 Dillon
. "I sat in a room that looked like a tiny radio room and it was crowded in a corner," joked Dillon. "And he wrapped his hand around mine twice when I shook him.It was cool to hang out with him because I've always been a big fan of him."
But the obvious benefit of Dillon's victory – just his second at the highest level of NASCAR – is yet to materialize
The Daytona 500 is supposed to serve as a table-setter for a special season. Instead, Dillon remained neutral with the other drivers of the troubled Chevrolet Camaro
The impressive team includes seven-time Cup Series winner Jimmie Johnson and the promising Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, but only Dillon clinched the checkered flag in 2018 at the wheel of a Chevrolet
At that time last year, Chevrolet had won seven NASCAR Monster Energy Cup races in the SS Chevrolet, now abandoned in Australia [19659002] I said. "There were a lot of things in this season, many people were excited about the Chevrolet Camaro and we did not deliver the victories we thought our camp could do this year."
Larson nearly made it last week in Chicago, but lost to Kyle Busch in a wild finish. Each driver hit the car on the last lap, with Busch giving the last shot before sprinting in front of Larson for the win
"I was not upset at a time when I slid through [Turns] 3 and 4 or something like that, "Larson said Thursday. "I was cool with everything."
Dillon stated that Larson's call was a step forward for the Camaro. During this week's test sessions, 10 cars exceeded 200 mph, including three Chevrolet.
Heading on Friday's qualifying rounds, Dillon's high-end speed is 199.305. This places him 17th and in the middle of the pack in the field of 40 cars.
Few pilots, however, return to Daytona International Speedway with more positive vibrations. In addition to the life-changing victory in February, Dillon has fond memories of the sacred lands that fueled the stock-car races.
"I have felt like I came here since I was born". "It's like a second home to me.I know a lot of people here and I even come back for Easter most of the time."
"I always love to come here and have the opportunity to winning a race. "
Yet, the unpredictable nature of plate-restrictor racing offers the opportunity of virtually every car in the field.Dillon only led the last lap during the 500, following a bold move to overthrow Aric Almirola and open a path to victory
With the nine-race playoffs and drivers becoming increasingly desperate for a spot, Dillon is waiting to see the drivers taking similar chances. Hope it's among them
"I would say that this race weekend will probably be one of the most aggressive you'll see," said Dillon. opportunity this weekend to not have every weekend, and if you're d In this position then, you will do crazy things to get there. "
" I'll be doing the same thing. "
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Edgar can be reached at egthompson @ orlandosentinel. com
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