Austin Dillon Earns Runner-Up Finish in Season Finale

NASCAR XFINITY Series – Homestead 300
November 21, 2015 – Homestead-Miami Speedway – Homestead, FL

Austin Dillon and the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet team finished second in the NASCAR XFINITY Series finale race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday afternoon after leading laps late in the race. Dillon earned the third starting position for the 200-lap event after the final round of qualifying was rained out. Once the initial green flag waved, Dillon reported he was too loose. Crew chief Danny Stockman utilized caution periods to service the No. 33 Chevrolet with four tires, fuel and minor chassis adjustments to help combat Dillon’s handling issues. On the lap-173 restart, Dillon dove to the bottom groove from the third position and assumed the race lead. The 25-year-old driver led for the next 16 circuits around the 1.5-mile speedway before slipping to second-place with three laps to go. In Dillon’s 20 XFINITY Series events this year, he’s earned four victories, seven pole awards, 13 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. The No. 33 team finishes out the 2015 season with five victories, seven pole awards, 17 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes.

We fired off really good for 15 laps then kind of fell off. I thought going into the race, we had a fourth-place car, but we ended up second and almost won the thing. That (No.) 42 has it figured out. He was able to roll up high against the wall, and I think that was the ticket to his speed. I’m really proud of this Rheem team. We’ve had a great year. I’m really excited to see what next year has to bring for this XFINITY Series team. – Austin Dillon

Start – 3, Finish – 2, Laps Led – 16, Owner’s Points – 4