Austin Dillon accustomed to the spotlight

BRISTOL, Tenn. --

Austin Dillon is accustomed to the spotlight.

The grandson of famed NASCAR car owner Richard Childress competed on national television in the 2002 Little League World Series with a North Carolina based team. And for the past two years, Dillon has driven in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in the iconic black No. 3 Chevrolet.

The scrutiny became even more intense on July 11 after Dillon earned his first truck series win in just his 12th start. That breakthrough at Iowa Speedway marked the first victory for the black No. 3 in any series since Dale Earnhardt’s death in 2001.

With a built-in fan base of rabid Earnhardt fans, the 20-year-old Dillon will be one of the favorites for tonight’s O’Reilly 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

"I like having the No. 3, and I know the fans love it," said Dillon, in a phone interview. "The number adds a little bit pressure, but I always put pressure on myself to be the best I can. We want to run up front."

Entering tonight’s race, Dillon ranks fifth in truck series points with five top-five finishes in 15 races.

Dillon, who was in position to win Saturday’s landmark event at Darlington Raceway, credits his RCR team for setting a positive tone.

"We are where we want to be right now," Dillon said. "If we can catch the right breaks like we did at Iowa, we can win every race. That’s a good feeling."

Racing fans in the Mountain Empire got an indication of Dillon’s instincts and courage in 2008 when he outlasted a veteran field to win the Fastrak Pro Late Model Nationals at Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Va.

That rowdy race on the fast half-mile dirt oval at Wythe served as a primer for tonight’s BMS challenge

"Running at Wythe and winning that race was big," Dillon said. "Driving on dirt gives you experience on how to really attack with your car and stay in control."

Dillon made his first visit to Bristol years ago to watch his father, Mike, race in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The younger Dillon watched, listened and took plenty of mental notes.

"Bristol is a mean short track," Dillon said. "It’s one of the toughest bullrings we go to, but I feel like we’ve got a shot."

Instead of following the high-tech lead of many young drivers and seeking out BMS video game simulations, Dillon has taken the old-school route.

"I’ve been watched a bunch of Bristol races on video the past few days," said Dillon, who has also driven in seven Nationwide races. "I’ve the watched old Cup, Nationwide and truck races. I’m always trying to learn."

In addition to his wizened grandfather and father, the inner circle for Dillon includes veteran NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver Jeff Burton and spotter Andy Houston, who formerly competed in the truck series.

"I try not to have my father on radio during races but Andy and I relate to each other well," Dillon said. "Andy calms down and tells me what I need to be doing.

"My grandfather keeps me on an even keel and brings me back to reality. And I learn everything I can from Burton when we get a chance to talk."

For Dillon, the learning curves eases with each on-track excursion. The sophomore season exam will only intensity tonight at one of the marquee stops on the truck series.

"It helps each time we go to a track, especially for the second time," Dillon said. "The trucks were super fast at Darlington and the track layout promoted good racing. Bristol is the same way."

The fast tracks add up to fast times for NASCAR’S newest rising star.

"I’m having a blast," Dillon said.

agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544

Fast Facts

Next Race: O’Reilly 200

The Place: Bristol Motor Speedway

(.533-Mile Oval)

The Date: Wed., August 18, 2010

The Time: 8 p.m. ET

Race Distance: 200 laps /106.6 miles

TV: SPEED, 7:30 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SIRIUS NASCAR Radio