Austin Dillon: NASCAR's 2010 Camping World Truck Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year

Austin Dillon, phenomenal athlete and grandson of NASCAR great Richard Childress, captured the 2010 Raybestos Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year honors.

His highly successful season included two wins (Iowa Speedway and Las Vegas), seven top 5s, 16 top 10s and a record-setting seven poles. Additionally, Dillon ended the racing season sitting fifth in the NCTWS points standings.

“We were able to get to fifth in points and had two victories, what can I say?” Dillon said last week when accepting the Raybestos rookie honor for the series, according to Scene Daily. “My team did a great job this year. Crew chief Danny Stockman was also a rookie and we were able to go out and make things happen.”

When Austin was selected to drive the No. 3 Pro Bass Shop Chevrolet Silverado, he knew that he was going to face a variety of reactions from the fan base because that was a number famous made by the late, legendary 2009 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Dale ”The Intimidator” Earnhardt Sr. There were a lot of mixed emotions from the NASCAR fan base because many people were still not ready to see the black #3 back on the racetrack regardless of what racing series it would have participated in this season.

Dillon's first truck win at Iowa Speedway.
(John Sommers/Getty Images)

After his first truck win at Iowa Speedway, Austin had this to say in regards to driving this legendary numbered truck: "It's pretty awesome. Like I've said from the beginning of the year, I wanted to do it for the fans, too. I know they want to see it out front," Dillon said. "I'm glad to sit in the No. 3. It's my favorite number to run, and hopefully I can run it for a long time. You know, I love running it. It's a lot of fun. (But) there is pressure behind it. The fans want it to run well when it's out on the track. It's something you have to take on and take on as a challenge is the way I look at it. It's fun to me running that number. The fans stand in the grandstands when you run well with it.”

It is clear this 20-year-old has the "eye of the tiger" and he will be an avid competitor who will look to compete to win a championship in the near future.

Congratulations on a great honor and continued success in your racing career!