HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) - Austin Dillon played it safe and ended up winning big.
Dillon, the 21-year-old grandson of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, finished 10th in the Truck Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday night - good enough to win the series championship.
Rookie of the year in the series a year ago, Dillon is the youngest champion in series history. He also stands as one of racing's up-and-coming drivers. He is scheduled to drive a full schedule in NASCAR's Nationwide Series in 2012.
Johnny Sauter won the rain-shortened race, holding off Denny Hamlin just before the final caution dropped. Sauter finished second in points, just ahead of James Buescher.
The sky opened up with 15 laps remaining. NASCAR officials made it official a few minutes later.
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