2022 Season in Review: Richard Childress Racing

Drivers: #3- Austin Dillon, #8- Tyler Reddick

#3 Bass Pro Shops / Dow Chevrolet (Dillon)

#8 3CHI Chevrolet (Reddick)

Engines: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Crew Chief(s): Justin Alexander (3), Randall Burdett (8)

2022 Season Grade (Overall): B+

2022 Season (Tyler Reddick #8):

Going into his third full-time season driving the 8 car for Richard Childress Racing, expectations were very high for Reddick going into 2022. A decent performance during the 2021 season earned Reddick 13th place finish in the final standings, but he remained winless for the second straight year.

Enter 2022, where Reddick capitalized on the previous seasons’ momentum, as he would burst on to the scene for much of the season. While it was a rough start, with Reddick scoring a 35th place finish in the Daytona 500, he recovered quickly to get things rolling.

Scoring a 7th place finish in Las Vegas, followed by a 3rd place in Phoenix, the 8 car was starting to appear amongst the top runners more frequently. While bad luck plagued much of his early season, the team remained focused. So many “almost wins” became a reality in Road America, as Reddick would earn his first career win in dominating fashion, leading 38 laps. The win however was not without a bit of a black cloud hanging over it, as Reddick had a somewhat “unscheduled” announcement that he was leaving RCR for Toyota and 23XI Racing in 2024.

The 8 car and Reddick eventually shook off the awkwardness of the 23XI situation, as Childress himself re-enforced his confidence in the team and Reddick for the remainder of the 2022 season, as Reddick would win again on the Indianapolis Road Course to cement his commitment. Reddick and team marched on, scoring multiple Top 10’s and Top 5’s enroute to the Round of 16 in the Playoffs. Reddick was looking to be a sure-fire contender for the Round of 4 most of the season, but bad luck would rear its ugly head again with Reddick having several finishes of 20th or worse.

The inconsistent finishes would ultimately hurt Reddick in the end, as he was eliminated due to a multi-car accident in the night race at Bristol. This was followed by Reddick scoring his third win of the season in Texas the following week. The season however would end on somewhat dismal note though, as he would score a pair of 35th places finishes, followed by a 23rd in the finale at Phoenix. 

Reddick’s season could be summed up as one of somewhat unmet potential. For as strong as the 8 car was most of the year, the team was hampered by 8 DNF’s and Reddick’s contract issues. The contract issues ultimately led to 23XI Racing buying out Reddick’s contract a year early, once it was clear Kurt Busch was not returning. 

Reddick’s final numbers for the season show he had an average finish of 17.6, along with 8 DNF’s. The most impressive statistic, and perhaps the story of his season, is Reddick lead an impressive 503 laps during the course of the year.

2023 Outlook:

With Reddick leaving RCR for 23XI in 2023 made official, the recently released Kyle Busch was named as driver of the #8 Chevrolet. With sponsorship now in place for Busch, and long-time Reddick crew chief Randall Burdett returning, expect big things for the 8 car in 2023. While it’s too early to say what exactly to expect, a very hungry Kyle Busch could be just what RCR needs to make it to the Round of 4.

2022 Season Results:

=======================================================

2022 Season (Austin Dillon #3):

The grandson of owner Richard Childress, Austin Dillon entered his 9th full-time season behind the wheel of the famed #3 Chevrolet. While Dillon has been a consistent Top 20 driver in the series for much of his career, he has yet to be able to break that next barrier and move into the Top 10. 

Despite a 25th place finish in the Daytona 500, Dillon looked to be showing signs of improvement in the early season with 5 Top 10 finishes in the first 10 races. The Top 10 consistency started to fade though, as Dillon would start to hover around the playoff bubble most of the season with a rollercoaster of finishes.

This all looked to change as the series headed to Daytona in the summer. Dillon, a skilled superspeedway racer, was able to position himself into the lead when rain caused a disastrous wreck for a good portion of the field on lap 138. Dillon was left as the only lead pack car to escape the melee, garnering him his fourth career series victory, and first since 2020 in Texas.

Dillon was set to make a surprise run at the playoffs following his win, but lady luck would turn her back yet again. The Bristol night race, which was a definite play-off decider in 2022, also bit Dillon as he would finish 31st. Coupled with finishes of 17th and 14th the previous two races, Dillon’s playoff bubble was finally burst as he was eliminated. 

In an ironic twist, Dillon would have somewhat of a career run following his elimination, as he would score 6 Top 15 finishes (including a 4th in Homestead) in the final 7 races. Dillon officially ended the season with an average finish of 16.5, 8 DNF’s, 24 laps led, and an 11th place finish in points for the season.

2023 Outlook:

Dillon’s longtime crew chief Justin Alexander will not be returning in 2023, being succeeded by former Kasey Kahne Hendrick crew chief Keith Rodden. Expect some growing pains early in the season as Dillon and Rodden will need some time to build a relationship, but the move could pay dividends. Rodden could be the key piece that vaults Dillon and the legendary 3 car to the next level, if the pairing clicks. 

2022 Season Results: