Dillon looks to make good impression subbing for Stewart

HAMPTON, Ga. — As an heir in one of stock car racing’s royal families, Ty Dillon longs to have a Sprint Cup ride of his own.

For now, he’ll have to settle for being a NASCAR sub.

Dillon is filling in for injured Tony Stewart in Sunday’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, a chance to bolster his fledgling career behind the wheel of one of the sport’s most recognized machines.

“It gives me a chance to showcase what I can do in these cars,” he said. “Any time I can get more laps and more experience, it’s always going to help.”

Dillon celebrated his 24th birthday on Saturday by finishing fifth in the Xfinity race at Atlanta, a precursor to his ninth Cup event — and first in Stewart’s No. 14 Chevrolet.

Smoke is recovering from back surgery after wrecking an all-terrain vehicle last month, keeping him on the sideline at the start of his farewell season. Brian Vickers filled in at the season-opening Daytona 500, and now it’s Dillon stepping into the seat.

The youngster had hoped to at least have a part-time Cup deal this season, after finishing third in the Xfinity series a year ago. Being the grandson of longtime car owner Richard Childress and younger brother of Cup regular Austin Dillon would certainly seem to give one the inside track to a sponsorship deal.

But, showing just how tight dollars are these days, Ty Dillon was forced to settle for five races in the low-budget Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing No. 95 car, with Michael McDowell handling the bulk of the races.

“It was a little bit of a sting,” Dillon conceded.

He drove the No. 95 in the Daytona 500, where he started 12th and finished 25th. Now, he’s taking over Stewart’s machine.

“It does take away a little bit of the sting from not running more of a schedule than I was hoping for this year in the Sprint Cup series,” he said. “Now that I have the opportunity, I can go out there and do what I want to do.”

Stewart made a surprise appearance in Atlanta, talking with Dillon after he took the 18th spot in qualifying.

For Dillon, this is a chance to spread his wings after spending his entire career racing for his grandfather or, in the case of the No. 95 car, a team allied with Richard Childress Racing.

“Everything is different for me,” Dillon said. “It’s helped me grow not just as a driver but as a person, and learning how to go about things different. I’m excited for what this brings.”