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SHR competition director "very proud" of Ty Dillon's role as Stewart's substitute

Ty Dillon’s tenure as a substitute driver for Tony Stewart came to end at Talladega but the importance of the opportunity wasn’t lost on the Xfinity Series regular.

Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing switching seat with Ty Dillon

Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing switching seat with Ty Dillon

NASCAR Media

Ty Dillon, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
Ty Dillon, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
Ty Dillon, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing
Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing
Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing
Greg Zipadelli, Director of Competition Stewart-Haas Racing
Ty Dillon, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
Ty Dillon, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet

Sunday’s GEICO 500 was the fourth race this season Dillon has substituted for Stewart, who missed the first eight races of the season after suffering a back injury in January.

Dillon scores a top ten finish

Sunday, however, was Dillon’s most difficult task. Stewart actually started the race but exited his No. 14 Chevrolet under the first caution of the race and turned the driving duties over to Dillon.

Dillon successfully navigated the multitude of violent wrecks to bring home a sixth-place finish, which was credited to Stewart since he started the race.

“I’m glad I was able to get a good finish for Tony,” Dillon said after the race. “That team is so strong. They are definitely going to win a race and get in the top 30 (of driver points). I’m just glad I could be a part of what they’re going to do this year.

“This opportunity has meant so much to me, not only to my career but to me as a person.”

Stewart’s team had set up the car with Dillon’s seat and Dillon qualified the car and ran most of the practices over the weekend – all so Dillon would be most comfortable when he took over.

“I really appreciate Ty,” Stewart said after exiting his car. “He’s been a rock star through this whole thing and especially this weekend. He’s done all the heavy lifting and I just got in to ride around for 50 laps and turn it over to him.”

The finish was the best Dillon has had in the car this season. In his previous three starts in the No. 14, he finished 17th, 15th and 25th.

Still a long road to the Chase

Stewart is now 38th in the series standings. In order to qualify for the Chase, he must win at least one race and be in the Top 30 of points by the conclusion of the 26th race of the season.

SHR’s competition director, Greg Zipadelli, said he was “very proud” of Dillon’s work with the team this season.

“I think he’s done a great job for us all year. He got in the car and in the second half of the race he did a remarkable job. He had a great opportunity,” Zipadelli told Motorsport.com. “Man oh man, he’s very low maintenance. He wants to learn – he’s like a thick sponge. He’s very respectful.

“I’m very proud of him. He was very patient. We probably had one of the few cars that loaded up without much damage to it.”

Asked if the team was satisfied with how the race unfolded, Zipadelli said, “Absolutely. We got a top-10 for Tony and loaded up the car in one piece. That team is building. They’ve gone through an awful lot this year and they continue to show maturity and have been working together well and are making good progress.”

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