Austin Dillon Believes NASCAR Rule Change Could Transform the Sport Forever
The garage area is buzzing with excitement these days, and for good reason. Word’s getting around that NASCAR is seriously considering a rule change that could shake things up in ways we haven’t seen since the sport’s early days. Austin Dillon, the Richard Childress Racing driver who’s never been one to mince words, thinks this potential shift could be exactly what the sport needs to attract big-name sponsors and get drivers like Kyle Busch back where they belong, dominating multiple series.
Right now, Cup Series drivers can only run five races each in the Xfinity and Truck Series. That’s it. Five measly races, when these guys are hungry to race every weekend, they can get their hands on a steering wheel. But if the rumors prove true, that number could double to ten races per series. For a sport that’s built on pure competition and the thrill of racing, this rule change represents more than just numbers on paper.
Why This Rule Change Makes Perfect Business Sense
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Austin Dillon laid out exactly why this rule change gets his blood pumping. “I think more and more partners would probably be interested in it,” he explained, his voice carrying that genuine enthusiasm you hear when a racer talks about something they truly believe in. “If we can get a five-to-10 to 10 race schedule out there for Cup guys, it’d be easier to sell a sponsor on 10 races than five maybe. You can pair them together, and that makes more sense.”
The man’s got a point that cuts right to the heart of modern racing economics. Sponsors don’t just want their logos slapped on a car for a handful of races. They want value, visibility, and return on their investment. When you can offer a sponsor package that includes 10 races instead of five, you’re talking about doubling their exposure time. That’s the kind of math that makes corporate executives sit up and take notice.
Think about it from a sponsor’s perspective. They’re writing checks with a lot of zeros, and they want to see their brand out there making an impact. More races mean more television time, more fan engagement, and more opportunities to connect with the NASCAR audience that brands covet so desperately.
Kyle Busch Would Be All Over This Opportunity
Dillon didn’t hold back when talking about how drivers would respond to this rule change, especially when it comes to Kyle Busch. “I know Kyle would be all about it,” Dillon said with the kind of certainty that comes from knowing a fellow competitor inside and out. “I think his confidence really is at the right place when he is running other race cars. When he is running the Xfinity Series, let’s be honest, he’s the greatest to ever do it.”
That statement hits different when you consider Busch’s incredible track record. The two-time Cup Series champion didn’t just compete in the lower series. He absolutely dominated them. We’re talking about a driver who racked up wins like he was collecting trading cards, making it look easy when everyone else was fighting tooth and nail just to keep up.
The irony here is thick enough to cut with a knife. Busch was so dominant in the Xfinity and Truck Series back in the early 2010s that NASCAR had to step in and create the current limitations. He was winning so many races that fans started complaining about the lack of competition. Now, more than a decade later, the sport is considering loosening those same restrictions.
The Hunger for More Racing Action
Dillon even floated the idea of him and Kyle Busch potentially running 20 races between them across the lower series. For drivers who live and breathe competition, that’s not just appealing. It’s absolutely intoxicating. These guys don’t race for the money alone. They race because they have to, because competition flows through their veins like motor oil.
The current system feels restrictive to drivers who grew up racing everything they could get their hands on. Five races per series might sound like a lot to casual fans, but for professional racers, it’s barely a taste of what they crave. When you’re built to compete at the highest level, being limited to just a handful of races in the developmental series feels like being told you can only eat one slice of your favorite pie.
Ross Chastain’s Perspective Adds Weight to the Argument
Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain has already maxed out his five races in both the Xfinity and Truck Series this year, and his comments at Daytona show just how much drivers want this rule change. “I would like to. I don’t know if it’ll be able to happen, but I just love to race,” Chastain admitted, his words carrying the passion that makes NASCAR special.
“My team is already working on the possibilities and putting together what races are companions and what races we have sponsorship for. We still have to fund it. Either I have to fund it, which is how it’s been most of the time, or the team has to. We’re already working on hypotheticals for Truck and Xfinity.”
That’s the kind of dedication that reminds you why NASCAR has such a devoted following. Chastain isn’t just talking about racing more for the sake of it. He’s willing to put his own money on the line to make it happen. That’s commitment that goes beyond professional obligation.
What This Rule Change Really Means for NASCAR’s Future
This potential rule change represents more than just tweaking numbers in a regulation book. It’s about recognizing that the sport’s biggest stars want to race more, sponsors want better value for their investments, and fans want to see the best drivers competing as often as possible.
The timing couldn’t be better either. NASCAR has been working hard to attract new fans while keeping longtime supporters engaged. Seeing Cup Series champions like Busch and rising stars like Chastain battling it out in multiple series throughout the season would create storylines that write themselves.
For a sport built on personality and rivalry, having these big names racing more frequently in the lower series would create natural drama and competition that television executives dream about. Young drivers trying to make their mark would get the chance to race against proven champions, creating those David versus Goliath moments that become legendary.
The rule change could also help develop the next generation of NASCAR talent faster. When you’re racing against the best drivers in the world regularly, you either step up your game or get left behind. There’s no better teacher than competition against elite talent.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just about changing numbers in a rulebook. It’s about unleashing the competitive spirit that makes NASCAR great. If this rule change becomes reality, we could be looking at a new golden age of multi-series racing that benefits everyone involved.
