The plan seems to be to run Dillon in six to eight, possibly more, Cup races this season to prepare him for 2014.

Dillon will drive for Circle Sport, a satellite team of Richard Childress Racing, the team owned by his grandfather. Dillon will also drive one race for Phoenix Racing and owner James Finch.

Dillon made one start for Circle Sport in the Sprint Cup Series last season, finishing 24th in the No. 33 Chevy in the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Stephen Leicht, Tony Raines, Elliott Sadler, Hermie Sadler, and Cole Whitt also drove for Circle Sport in 2012, with Leicht winning Rookie Of The Year honors.

Childress indicated that he didn’t know how many Cup races his grandson would run, saying that it depended on sponsorship.

Austin’s younger brother Ty Dillon may also run some Cup races. In 2014, the younger Dillon will move from the Camping World Truck Series to the Nationwide Series full time.

Many speculate that the elder Dillon may drive the No. 3 Chevy, which hasn’t been run in Cup since 2001, when Dale Earnhardt Sr died in a last lap crash in the Daytona 500.

Dillon finished third in the Nationwide Series standings, winning two races last year. He will look to improve upon that in 2013.

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TBR put Blaney in the No. 35 because it is not locked into the race, and they feel Blaney is better suited to get it in the race. The No. 36 is in the top 35 in owner’s points and therefore locked in the show.

TBR owner Tommy Baldwin said:

With Dave’s 14 years of experience in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and his proven ability to qualify for races, we felt like swapping cars was best for our partners and will give us the best opportunity to get both cars in the field. I have full confidence in Stephen’s abilities, and he was very successful at the test. We just didn’t want his inexperience in Cup cars to affect both cars making the event. Both drivers are team players and understand how important it is for the future of TBR for both cars to make the field this weekend. Dave is a standup guy and understands that giving Stephen the opportunity to show his talent in a TBR racecar will help our team’s future.

Leicht has made 71 starts in the Nationwide Series and one start in the Sprint Cup Series. He won one Nationwide race in 2007 at Kentucky Speedway while driving for Yates Racing.

TBR owner Tommy Baldwin said:

I’ve always watched Stephen’s career. He did really well when we tested a Cup car together, and I was really impressed. The opportunity came up, and we needed to fill the seat. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to give Stephen a shot at racing in the Cup series.

Leicht added:

I’m very excited to be working with Tommy Baldwin Racing. I’ve known Tommy since back when I raced with Robert Yates Racing in 2007, and I’m really looking forward to this opportunity to compete in the Cup series.