Overview

• Austin Dillon led 107 laps to win the Cook Out 400 at Richmond on Aug. 16, securing a 2025 playoff spot and becoming the first back-to-back winner of the event there in 15 years.
• The victory is being cast inside RCR as redemption for the controversial 2024 finish at the same track that cost Dillon playoff eligibility and deeply stung Richard Childress.
• RCR credits restructuring moves—including crew chief Richard Boswell, president Mike Verlander and technical leader Johnny Klausmeier—with improved execution that delivered the dominant run.
• Austin and Ty Dillon say they are taking on more responsibility to ease the burden on Childress, who is reluctant to hand over the reins because of the family sacrifices the role has required.
• Dillon points to a refined low-line approach at Richmond as a key to the turnaround, and multiple reports say he competed with a broken rib.