“Sorry Austin Dillon fans”: NASCAR influencer makes bold 2025 silly season prediction for Richard Childress’ grandson

Famous NASCAR YouTuber Eric Estepp recently discussed a 2025-2026 NASCAR Cup Series season prediction surrounding Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon.

In his video, Estepp reflected on the No. 3 Chevy driver's past two seasons and the chances of him taking an executive role in the Welcome, North Carolina-based Cup Series team. Notably, Dillon is the son of Mike Dillon, the current General Manager of RCR, and the son-in-law of Hall of Famer Childress.

"I think Austin Dillon despite signing an extension recently will retire at year's end at least from full-time racing," said Estepp. "Sorry Austin Dillon fans but 2023 and 2024 have been the worst two seasons of his Cup series career." [2:30 onwards]

Furthermore, the NASCAR influencer added:

"RCR is at a Crossroads. I think there will be pressure on Austin Dillon to move upstairs. They've got legit drivers in Xfinity like Austin Hill, Jesse Love. That's my way too early bold silly season prediction. Austin Dillon steps out of the #3 car full-time at the end of 2025."

Dillon will start his 12th full-time season with RCR and in over 400 races in the Cup Series, the 34-year-old has accumulated five wins, including the 2018 Daytona 500 race.

While Dillon is still on contract with RCR for another season in the No. 3 Chevy, he once discussed the chances of Childress approaching him and asking him to help in the managerial role.

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Austin Dillon once opened up on his 5-year-plan in NASCAR

Dillon during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. - Source: Imagn

Back in August 2024, Austin Dillon was asked about his 5-year-plan by Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. on an episode of Dale Jr. Download. In the conversation, the former Xfinity and Truck Series champion Dillon acknowledged his grandfather Richard Childress' work ethic.

"The guy’s[Richard Childress] got some crazy energy blood in him that allows him to just go. At his age, it’s super impressive So, if he comes to me and says, ‘Hey, look, at this point in time, I want you to help more,’ and I already am. My brother is starting to help a little bit too. And you know, a lot of the things that are going on, I’ve been involved with as of late, even getting Kyle [Busch] was one of those big things. I want to, I want to do that," he said [12:41 onwards].

Dillon then continued:

"Obviously, I’ve watched my grandfather fight for his company for a long time, so I want to keep it going and feel like I’m in a good place to do it, and my dad’s experience helps that, but my contract right now is as a race car driver for two more years with RCR. So, five year plan? We see what’s going on in year two of my contract."

Moreover, Dillon claimed he would "love" to be a part of a conversation with his Childress if the best situation for the team is to put somebody new in the No. 3 Chevy in the Cup Series.