Interview with 2022 Champion Dillon Richards – COUNTDOWN: Only 13 days until racing action @Eagle
My next interview is with last year’s Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stock champion, Dillon Richards. Dillon not only garnered the points crown at Eagle Raceway, he also added the championship at Beatrice Speedway on his way to grabbing state, regional and national IMCA championships. After having spoken to Dillon numerous times during his racing career, I can tell you truthfully that he is a young man of few words. Rather he allows his heavy right foot do the talking for him whenever he hits the track.
Dillon began his career at the young age of 14, running an IMCA Sport Compact. Eventually he moved up in class to an IMCA Hobby Stock and quickly proved just how talented he was in that class as well. Now that Dillon is 24, Jordan Grabouski realized what a talent Dillon was and brought him into the Grabouski Racing fold. Dillon raced a stock car for Jordan twice in January out in Arizona. When I asked him how it went he replied “I made the feature every night, let’s just say that. We struggled a little bit, but did make both features. I really enjoyed the opportunity”. Personally, I have been very surprised at the ability Dillon shows in a race car. Last season, no matter where he started in the A Main, I knew he was going to get up front and he did that week in and week out. Did he win every time he hit the track? No. Did he give it his all whenever he got into his race car? DEFINITELY!!!! You just knew that he would be moving forward and end up battling for the win.
When I asked what he attributed his success to he replied “My whole team. My step-dad Wade, Buck and everybody else who works on the car. They are the ones who make my racing successful. Also my sponsors S & L Trenching, Fester’s Bait and Tackle and Jordan Grabouski Racing contribute so much that it allows me to do as well as I do”.
I then asked what his plans were for the coming season, and he replied “I’m planning on racing at Eagle and Beatrice weekly again this year. I just got my new car wrapped and I think we’ll be pretty good around home”. Considering how he adjusted from a sport compact to a hobby stock, I’d say he will be just fine this coming season”.
Dillon’s first opportunity to race his IMCA A1 Iron Stock Car at Eagle will be on April 14th as AutoTransmatic presents night 1 of the 2023 Icebreaker Challenge. Also on the card will be the Nebraska Lottery Modifieds, Avid Realty Sportmods and Late Models. Front gates open at 6:30, hot laps start at 6:45 with racing at 7:30. Front gate admission is $18 for those 13 and up, kids 6-12 are just $5 and children 5 and under are free. Pit gates open at 4:00 with pit admission costing $35.
Come on out and see all the action at America’s Home Track, Eagle Raceway.
