Austin Dillon Praises Charlie Kirk as Richard Childress Racing Honors Him After Assassination

NASCAR driver Austin Dillon said he admired Charlie Kirk’s "heroism" and faith after Richard Childress Racing affixed memorial decals honoring the conservative influencer to the team’s cars following Kirk’s assassination earlier in the week.

"First of all, it’s a tragic incident where a man’s life was taken and he leaves behind two children and a wife," Dillon said during media sessions, according to broadcast coverage. "I look up to his heroism when it comes to standing for God. And I love some of his teachings of the Bible, his ability to debate without really attacking someone. I thought that it’s just a very sad day and all I know is it makes me want to get into the Bible more and learn more about Jesus and try and spread the word whenever I can."

The decals, reading "In Memory of Charlie Kirk 1993-2025," appeared on cars driven by Dillon and his Richard Childress Racing teammates. The team’s visible tribute was among several acknowledgments in the sports world after Kirk was shot during an event at Utah Valley University. Law enforcement arrested a suspect, identified by authorities as Tyler Robinson, after a subsequent manhunt.

Christopher Bell, another driver for Richard Childress Racing, dedicated his victory at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway to Kirk. "Most importantly, this week’s obviously been a very tough week. You know, there’s a lot on our minds," Bell said. "This one’s for Charlie."

Across sports, other tributes were observed. The NFL held a moment of silence at the Green Bay Packers–Washington Commanders game to acknowledge Kirk’s death, which drew attention beyond political circles and into sporting events and broadcasts.

Kirk was a prominent conservative commentator and public figure whose death prompted responses from multiple sectors, including professional sports teams and individual athletes. Richard Childress Racing’s decision to display memorial decals placed the organization among those using competition platforms to recognize the killing and the emotional response it generated within parts of the sports community.

Investigations into the shooting remained active, and law enforcement agencies have continued to provide updates on the case. In the interim, drivers and team officials said they were processing the incident personally and professionally while continuing to participate in scheduled racing events.

The gestures by Dillon, Bell and others illustrate how sports organizations sometimes serve as venues for public mourning and remembrance when high-profile figures die. Team statements and driver remarks emphasized condolences to Kirk’s family and reflected a mix of private faith and public tribute from participants in motorsports and other leagues.