Austin Dillon Visits Bristol, Gives Some Lucky Fans a Ride Around the Track

Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon, who pilots the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Silverado in the Camping World Truck Series, came to Bristol Motor Speedway to help promote special ticket package that is available at the track for the O'Reilly Auto Parts 200/UNOH Perfect Storm 150 double header to be held on August 24, 2011. The $33 package includes a ticket to the Wednesday races, a No. 3 Bass Pro Shops hat, and an exclusive Q & A session with Dillon in Bristol's Hospitality Village prior to the race.

Dillon signed autographs, hung out with fans in the Bruton Smith Building, and even did a little work in the ticket office on Tuesday afternoon. Since the Camping World Truck Series is headed to Kentucky Speedway this weekend, the No. 3 team's transporter made a side trip to Bristol as well. Fans who visited the track Tuesday were able to get an up close and personal look at the very truck that Dillon will be running at Kentucky.

The No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet being loading into the team's transporter outside the Bruton Smith Building at Bristol.

As part of his visit to Bristol, Dillon gave rides to fans who purchased the ticket package that afternoon. It's not every day that fans have the chance to ride around "The World's Fastest Half-Mile" with an up-and-coming NASCAR star. On Tuesday, I was one of those lucky fans. To me, that ride with Dillon truly was the ride of a lifetime because I have always wanted ride around the track with a NASCAR driver. Finally, I can check that off my to-do list!

Fans rode with Dillon in a Chevrolet Silverado. Sure, with it being a street legal truck it didn't go near as fast as a race truck can around the half-mile speedway, but doing close to 90mph in turns that are banked between 24-30 degrees can make anyone appreciate just what those drivers do when they get behind the wheel on race day. Can you imagine going close to 130 mph with thirty-five other drivers? (Camping World Truck Series races consist of 36 drivers instead of 43 like the Nationwide Series and Cup Series)

Dillon in the Chevrolet Silverado in which he gave fans a ride
around Bristol.

So, how does a lap around Bristol with a Camping World Truck Series driver feel? Absolutely awesome! It's something I won't soon forget! He talked extensively about the grooves on the track and just how hard it is to get slowed down when coming to pit road. I really learned a lot from him on Tuesday during those few short laps.

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Photos without a credit are my own.