Ty Dillon subs in for Stewart in Talladega – Nascar

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Ty Dillon subbed in for three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart on Sunday, taking over the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway.

The team made the driver switch in the 52nd of a scheduled 188 laps in Sunday’s GEICO 500. The swap went according to plan, with Dillon intending to fill in during the first caution period as Stewart eases back to full-time competition after suffering a broken back in an offseason all-terrain vehicle accident.

After a pit-road speeding penalty during the first round of green-flag pit stops, Stewart was running a lap down at the time of the first caution period, triggered by a three-car crash involving Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne and Matt DiBenedetto.

Stewart was the beneficiary of the yellow flag, putting him back on the lead lap. After regaining his lost lap, Stewart pitted separately of the main pack and Dillon resumed near the tail end of the field in 33rd place.

Stewart told FOX Sports’ Jamie Little after exiting the car that “it sucks” to turn over the wheel, but that he understood the reasoning. He plans to return full-time next weekend at Kansas Speedway.

“If I wouldn’t have broken my back in the end of January, we wouldn’t have been in this situation,” Stewart said. “The good news is it’s the last time I’ve got to do it and then I’m back in the next week. Really appreciate Ty. I mean, he’s been a rock star through this whole thing and especially this weekend. He’s done all the heavy lifting and I just go riding around for 50 laps and turn it over to him.”

Dillon, a NASCAR XFINITY Series regular with 12 Sprint Cup starts, drove the No. 14 in Saturday’s Coors Light Pole Qualifying to the 14th starting spot. Stewart started Sunday’s 500-miler, dropping to the rear of the 40-car field before the green flag because of the driver change.

“Guys, I know this isn’t the optimal situation, but we have a kid who’s done a great job for us,” Stewart told his team over the radio during pace laps. “He’ll do another great job today.”

As the driver of record at the initial start, Stewart stands to gain championship points based on Dillon’s eventual finish. A victory would count toward Stewart’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs eligibility.

Dillon made three starts for SHR this season in place of Stewart, dividing driving duties with Brian Vickers.