Video: Riding along with Austin Dillon

NEWTON - Riding shotgun with No. 1.

Richard Childress Racing's Austin Dillon entered Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Series U.S. Cellular 250 with the season points lead. Fans and media had a chance to take the track right along side of him.

Dillon gave pace-car rides for a few laps, surpassing 100 miles per hour.

It was an enjoyable few minutes. He pointed out a couple areas on the track that stand out, specifically the bump between turns 1 and 2. As the force pressed my large frame into the passenger door, I asked if the doors were locked only to receive a not-so confident, "Maybe." (It was a joke. Safety is at a premium with these activities.) I was impressed with his brief concerned of my well-being when I tried to be funny by noting I shouldn't have eaten before the ride. :)

A couple of years ago, I rode shotgun in an old Busch car with his younger brother, Ty Dillon, who was running on the ARCA circuit at that time. I was decked out in the suit, helmet, gloves and everything for that one.

I refuse to start a family feud by naming which driver is better. My hands are Ty-ed on that one.