One notable NASCAR Nationwide Series rookie for the 2012 season is Austin Dillon. Wondering why the name sounds familiar?  It’s most likely because he is the son of Mike Dillon, the general manager of Richard Childress Racing, and the grandson of Richard Childress himself.

Dillon has made a name for himself and he is only 22 years old. In the Camping World Truck Series he was named the 2010 Rookie of the Year. In 2011, he was the truck series champion and was also named the Most Popular Driver.

Since his 2012 Nationwide debut, Dillon has started 13 races and has finished 10 of those races in the top 10.

Something to note about Dillon is his car number. In the truck series, and in the Nationwide series as well, you can find Dillon behind the wheel of the #3. When he made his premiere as a driver in the Camping World Truck Series it was the first time the #3 had appeared in any of the NASCAR major series since Dale Earnhardt Jr. used it in 2002.

So far for the 2012 season, Dillon doesn’t have any wins, but he started at the pole position in the Alliance Truck Parts 250 at Michigan this past weekend.

This July, Dillon will be taking his turn at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The debut of the Nationwide Series as IMS takes place on Saturday July 28th. It will be exciting to see how Dillon performs during Super Weekend. Perhaps his first Nationwide win will take place at Indy?

No matter if he wins or not, it will be touching to see the number 3 rolling around IMS for that weekend. Dillon will be racing with a legendary number and he comes from a legendary family. No pressure...right?