Tension is rising in the NASCAR community as fans grow increasingly critical of Richard Childress, the owner of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), accusing him of showing favoritism toward his grandson Austin Dillon at the expense of his other grandson, Ty Dillon. The controversy has taken over social media platforms, especially after Ty delivered a series of strong performances in Kaulig Racing’s No. 10 car—an RCR-affiliated ride—while Austin continues to struggle in the storied No. 3 car during the 2025 Cup Series season.
Many fans are calling into question Childress’ judgment, suggesting he may have misjudged which grandson had more long-term potential. One social media post summed up the sentiment by boldly stating, “Richard backed the wrong grandson. Ty should be in the 3.” The remark gained traction, sparking a wave of support from NASCAR followers who pointed out Ty’s ability to extract solid results from mid-tier equipment, contrasting it with Austin’s continued underperformance despite access to RCR’s best resources.
Austin Dillon, while notable for winning the 2018 Daytona 500, has only three career victories to his name and has faced inconsistent results over the years. In contrast, Ty Dillon has yet to secure a Cup Series win but has been applauded for his perseverance and ability to get the most out of less competitive machinery.
As RCR battles through a disappointing season, the fanbase is questioning whether Richard Childress’ deep family ties have influenced his decisions too heavily, potentially holding the team back. The debate continues, leaving NASCAR fans divided over the future of the No. 3 car.
