“Nothing is thicker than the blood” - When Richard Childress ranked grandson’s ‘biggest race’ victory over Dale Earnhardt’s 1998 triumph

Back in 2019, Richard Childress sat with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the latter's Dale Jr Download podcast, where the duo discussed their respective familes' racing legacies. During their conversation, Childress, the owner of the renowned NASCAR team, Richard Childress Racing, shared that his grandson, Austin Dillon's 2018 Daytona 500 victory was more important to him than Earnhardt Sr.'s 1998 Daytona 500 win.

For the unversed, Childress has several racers in his family. Starting with his son-in-law Mike Dillon, a former Nationwide Series driver. His sons, and Childress' grandsons Ty Dillon and Austin Dillon, are currently NASCAR drivers. Also to be noted is, Dale Earnhardt was a driver for Richard Childress Racing from 1984 till his death in 2001.

Austin Dillon competes in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving for his grandfather's Richard Childress Racing. The 34-year-old drives the #3 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, the renowned numbered car under full-time obligation.

During their conversation, Earnhardt Jr. asked Childress how the latter felt when his grandson won the 'biggest race' in the sport at Daytona. Sharing his feelings, here's what the owner of RCR said:

"To me it's right at the top. You know nothing's thicker than blood. You know I'll never forget the '98, overall the championships and everything that Dale and I won. The first one was really great. It felt like somebody picked the tractor and trailer off my shoulders winning that Championship in '86."

"But when Austin won that, that was probably for family. I was standing on the truck with him in Texas Motor Speedway when you won the race, both of us, he and I was up there, and he jumped, had on his cowboy boots from up there to the bottom, from there to the bottom, and how he didn't break something I don't know," he concluded.

Austin Dillon started the 2018 Daytona 500 after qualifying in 14th place. After the race started, he was nowhere in Stage 1. In Stage 2, he was at a lowly ninth place. But in the end, Dillon won the race ahead of Richard Petty Motorsports' Bubba Wallace and Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin.

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Richard Childress' grandson dedicated Daytona 500 victory to Dale Earnhardt

After Austin Dillon crossed the Checkered Flag with the legendary #3 car at Daytona in 2018, he immediately dedicated the victory to Dale Earnhardt.

Austin Dillon (3) celebrate in victory lane with his team after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Here's what Richard Childress' grandson said after the race wins,

“I did what I had to do there at the end,” Dillon said. “I hate it for the No. 10 (Almirola’s) guys. We had a run, and I stayed in the gas. It is what it is here at Daytona."

“This is so awesome to take the No. 3 car back to Victory Lane. This one is for Dale Earnhardt Sr. and all those (Dale) Sr. fans. I love you guys. We are going to keep kicking butt the rest of the year!” (as per NASCAR.com)

Dale Earnhardt remains one of the legends of the sport. With seven Cup Series championships and 76 race wins, the Kannapolis-born holds a special place in every NASCAR fan's hearts.