'We know what we can do to be faster' - Austin Dillon

Austin Dillon is a former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Xfinity Series champion and Daytona 500 pole winner, but after 126 Cup Series starts he has yet to find his way into victory lane. Still, as teammate Ryan Newman demonstrated recently at Phoenix, wins can come when least expected and Dillon – who is supported to the highest degree by his father Mike and grandfather Richard Childress – remains upbeat about his breakthrough chances this season with the No. 3 Chevrolet SS of Richard Childress Racing.

After winning titles in Trucks and Xfinity, is it really a lot harder to win in Cup?

"Yes it is, man. It's a tough series to win in. We've been fortunate to have some good runs but we're just not there yet. We've been real close. I feel like the speed in our racecars is where it needs to be, we just need to finish some of these things off. It was great seeing Ryan Newman win at recently at Phoenix. That's huge for RCR and the momentum it brings to our team. We know what we can do to be faster. I'm excited about the season to come."

With it being so hard to win and luck a big part of it all, can that get frustrating when things don't come your way?

"Luck is a big part of it. There is a lot that goes around in here. You have to be in on every little intricacy. There is a lot. Technical inspection is big. Being on your game as a driver, it's a tough thing. There is always a lot you can do with yourself and there are other things you have got to do, too."

And with the car and the driving, there is a gray area there, isn't there? The car can be good or bad, but the driver has to be able take all things into consideration and be able to find that edge to make up the difference.

"You always do. You have to make up the difference when your car doesn't have the speed – and when it does have the speed, you can't make mistakes. You try and take those cars that are good and get finishes with them and that's the key."

Five races in, all things considered, what have you thought about the racing?

"I think the racing has been very competitive. I know we'd like to see the leader a little closer in some places, but we've had some good finishes. Stuff has not gone the leader's way at the end of these races, you know – the guys who have led the most laps. That's good to see. There are a lot of opportunities out there with the stages, so it's been fun to be a part of."

Does not having a Cup race win keep you up at night a little bit?

"It does. I'm fired up about and we want to get that 3 to victory lane."

With the other young drivers, guys like Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney, how are you with those guys? Are you friends?

"You're competitors, too. It's hard because you want to be the guy that everybody is talking about. There is a fine line there. Most of them are all good guys and you can communicate with them if you want. I enjoy hanging out with them and they are fun."

That No. 3 on your car. There is an awful lot that comes along with that number. Does that 3 ever get a little bit heavy at times, or are you beyond all that now?

"I feel like I'm beyond that and I'm comfortable with that. I think more than anything the number holds the expectations of our race team – RCR. We want to run well for my team. There are a lot of employees there that put a lot of heart and soul into this thing and we want to lead this organization."