Not your average rookie

NEWTON, Iowa – From bloodlines to finish lines, Austin Dillon is not the average rookie.

The 22-year-old grandson of famed owner Richard Childress and youngest NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series champion is considered one this season.

Dillon entered the NASCAR Nationwide Series Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 on Sunday at Iowa Speedway with a 47-point lead over Cole Whitt in the Rookie of the Year standings. He ranked third through nine starts, trailing Elliott Sadler by 12 and leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by 35.

“The biggest thing is we're learning each race,” Dillon said. “We're getting better and better, learning how to adjust these cars throughout the race.”

Dillon has almost as many Nationwide starts this season as he has had the previous four years (11). He has five top-five finishes, including a season best fourth in the Bashas' Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway in March.

He has become a student of the sport, studying each experience to prepare himself for the next test. They continue to make progress.

“It goes in our notebook,” Dillon said. “You have to make sure that notebook is thick and full so when you come back the next year you can really dominate or the second time you come back to these tracks so you know what you're getting into.”

Dillon recorded his first top-five finish in his second Nationwide start in 2008. He added a second last year and had four career top-10 finishes prior to his rookie campaign. He was the 2011 NCWTS champion after earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2010.

Not bad considering Dillon didn't start racing until he was 15.

“I started really late compared to most guys in racing,” said Dillon. “I'm behind on an experience level and especially when we get to some of these tracks we've never been to later on this year. Road courses, people are going to have to bear with me through those.”

Dillon emphasized his dedication, vowing to work hard. He devotes his effort to be prepared for each race, which he said was an area he made the most progress to take steps toward doing what it takes to win. His work ethic stems from his family's racing history.

“My family and really wanting to do well for what we've created at RCR and my grandfather,” Dillon said. “I'm making sure I'm pushing myself and taking advantage of the opportunity that I have.”

Dillon is still in search of his first Nationwide Series victory. A win at Iowa, where he claimed his first Trucks win driving the Black Chevrolet No. 3 made famous by his grandfather's former partner and racing legend Dale Earnhardt, would be special. If not Sunday, he would have another chance when the series returns in August.

“A win is huge everywhere, but this is the first place I won a trucks race,” Dillon said. “To come back here and do it in a Nationwide Series would stake my place here at Iowa Speedway.”