DAYTONA, Fla. (WGHP) — Many NASCAR drivers have come down with a case of pickleball fever, including Austin Dillon.
If there’s a tournament, a charity event or even just someone wanting to practice, Dillon is in.
“I’ve taken a liking to it. It’s fun. It keeps it high-paced. Hand-eye coordination really matters. It’s a good retirement plan for me. I want to go pro after I’m done racing,” Dillon said.
Dillon got into pickleball because of his dad, and it’s been a good bonding experience for the guys at RCR.
Pickleball is a big hit at Kaulig Racing, too. Chris Rice is Kaulig’s president and loves to get in and mix it up.
“It keeps our minds focused on things that we do each and every weekend, and you can get your mind off of racing playing pickleball because you’re mad about the line and mad about different things,” Rice said.
Racing may be king in Daytona, but just five miles down the road from the speedway is a place called Pictona. It’s a huge facility with 49 pickleball courts and is where the Dillons found their new passion.
“It’s a mixture between tennis and ping pong … It’s challenging because you have to be under control because if you get too aggressive, it really doesn’t go your way,” Dillon said.
You could say the same holds true in racing.
