Kyle Larson’s pulling double duty this weekend. Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. Same day. Same driver. Two iconic races. It’s the kind of thing legends dream about and fans live for. Just imagine the chaos, the fatigue, the adrenaline. He’ll fly from Indy to Charlotte, hoping to make history. Everyone’s talking about it. Can he pull it off? Will the weather mess it up like last year? Will exhaustion win?
But here’s the thing, while Larson’s grabbing headlines, there’s another double-duty driver with deep Charlotte roots. One who isn’t chasing headlines… but quietly chasing wins. He’s done this before. He knows this track like the back of his hand. And this weekend, he’s writing his own version of the Charlotte “Double.” Well, let’s just say, it’s not the one you think.
Austin Dillon’s Charlotte “Double” – A tale of experience, adaptation, and track tactics
Austin Dillon is tackling one of NASCAR’s toughest feats this Memorial Day weekend. He will be racing both the Xfinity Series and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This “double duty” challenge means nearly 900 miles of racing. Naturally, it will be testing both body and mind. Just ask Kurt Busch, who attempted the original 1100-mile Double Duty in 2014. “My hands are a little sore. My feet are a little sore, just from working it,” Busch said.
Austin Dillon is embracing the moment, saying, “It happens to be probably one of my best tracks.” The numbers back him up. Dillon swept the Xfinity Series races at Charlotte in 2015 and captured his first Cup Series win in the 2017 Coca-Cola 600. He returns in 2025 for his 12th start in the Cup Series event, aiming for a second victory at one of NASCAR’s crown jewels. Similarly, this is his 13th start in the Xfinity Series at Charlotte, with two wins already to his name in this division.
While the Cup and Xfinity cars are fundamentally different, extra track time matters. As Austin Dillon explained, “So, like, even though the car does drive completely different, setups aren’t going to matter, air pressure and all that.” The Cup car uses a Next Gen chassis with more horsepower, wider tires, and a single center-locking lug nut, while the Xfinity car is lighter, uses less horsepower, and sticks to the traditional five-lug wheels. Despite these differences, Dillon believes running the Xfinity race sharpens his visual cues and rhythm for Sunday’s main event.
Beautiful race day @CLTMotorSpdwy !! Why is @austindillon3 doing double duty also competing in the @NASCAR_Xfinity this weekend & how much benefit is it to his Cup effort? Dillon here in the Deadline Room explains: pic.twitter.com/C9AwJ1yFWE
— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) May 23, 2025
Austin Dillon also noted, “I think they did some stuff with PJ1.” PJ1 TrackBite is a traction compound applied to the track to create multiple racing grooves and improve grip. At tracks like New Hampshire, PJ1 has allowed drivers to experiment with different lines, changing race strategy, and opening up passing opportunities. For Dillon, learning how the PJ1 behaves during the Xfinity race could provide a critical edge in the Cup car, at least until the field adjusts.
With his home-track expertise, adaptability between series, and keen eye for track conditions, can Austin Dillon turn his Charlotte “Double” into another milestone for the Childress legacy? We will find the answers in just a couple of days. Hopefully, they will be written in rubber and fuel and a spot in the victory lane on Saturday and Sunday.
Ty Dillon – Quiet consistency and a fresh start in 2025
While one grandson, Austin Dillon, takes on double duty at Charlotte, Richard Childress’s other grandson, Ty Dillon, is quietly preparing for his own challenge. Ty, piloting the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, will line up for his 250th career NASCAR Cup Series start at the 2025 Coca-Cola 600. Like Austin, Charlotte Motor Speedway is more than just another track for Ty. It’s practically home turf.
Ty’s best finish at Charlotte is 2nd at the 2019 NASCAR All-Star Open, and he’s earned multiple top-15s in Cup and Xfinity races here. This weekend, Ty will run a special gold and white paint scheme honoring military specialist Eric M. Finniginam. He’s also engaging with Kannapolis Cannon Ballers fans, throwing out the first pitch at a game ahead of race weekend.
Ty’s 2025 season reflects steady, if unspectacular, form compared to the turbulent years earlier. Through 12 races, he’s posted an average finish of 22.33, with a high of 12th at Texas Motor Speedway and just one DNF. He’s completed nearly all laps and has kept the car clean, showing consistency even if top-10s remain elusive. Ty sits 30th in the points. Although he is ahead of some bigger names like Brad Keselowski and has been a reliable presence for Kaulig Racing, he just needs to improve a bit on his results.
This year is a reset for Ty. After stints with Petty GMS and part-time rides, he’s found a stable seat at Kaulig. The team, known for its competitive spirit and driver development, gives Ty a real chance to build momentum. While he hasn’t broken through for a win, his Texas run and solid performances at intermediate tracks show potential for more.
With Charlotte’s 400 laps looming, Ty Dillon is focused on maximizing every opportunity. Can he turn home-track comfort and a new team environment into a season-defining result? All eyes will be on Ty Dillon as the green flag drops.
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