Are The Dillon Brothers Just “Rich Kids?”

Crew members for Ty Dillon, surround Kevin Harvick, on pit road
after an incident during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200
at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 26, 2013  (Robert Laberge, NASCAR)

Harvick was battling hard with Ty Dillon for the second spot in the closing laps, when the pair got together, ending their chances at victory. The spin was just the beginning, however, as Harvick and Dillon went after each other on the track, Dillon's crew went after Harvick on pit road, and the pair exchanged pointed words in the garage.

As if that was not enough, one of the RCR crew members threw a sledgehammer at Harvick's truck.

"The (No.) 3 just dumped me," Harvick said. "(That's) exactly reason I'm leaving RCR, because you've got those kids coming up that have got no respect for what they do in this sport and they've had everything fed to them with a spoon...It's just a shame you have to get taken out by some rich kid like that."

Both Ty Dillon and his older brother Austin came up through the K&N Pro Series circuit.

Ty Dillon celebrates his first career series win in Victory Lane
at Gresham Motorsports Park.  (Kevin Cox/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Ty Dillon won his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race of his career at Gresham Motorsports Park in Georgia on August 28, 2010. So to see him in a truck race so soon is a bit usual. However, he is the grandson of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner Richard Childress and therefore was presented with an enormous opportunity to carve his place in the highly completive NASCAR Arena.

Are the Dillon brothers just “rich kids” with no respect for the sport of NASCAR? Only time and their contribution to NASCAR will witness the truth. However, whether fair or not, their relationship to NASCAR protagonist Richard Childress will forever taint their accomplishments a tad.

On a personal note, NASCAR Race Mom had not had much contact with Ty Dillon. On the contrary, Austin was present at many of Moses’ races. NRM’s option of Austin was surprisingly positive. One race I watched Austin carefully observing his brother practice on track in order to advise him later.

What impress NRM the most happened at a night practice at the Phoenix International Raceway.  There were no fans nor media about, nevertheless Austin stayed with his crew as the crew worked to improve his truck. No other truck driver did that!

So are the Dillon’s “rich kids?” Yup - compared to most, they most certainly are. Have they had it easier? I think that is probably another yup! That does not automatically mean that they do not belong on the race track! You can only get so far with money – you must have the talent and determination to back it up.  Most assuredly, the Dillon’s future will make for interesting NASCAR Drama!