Dillon opened up 2014 with a bang, winning the pole at the season opening Daytona 500, then finishing ninth in the race after avoiding serious damage in a lap 145 wreck involving 13 cars. Though his results were not spectacular (one Top 5 and four Top 10s), Dillon's results were very consistent (0 DNF's), and finishing 20th in points, losing Rookie of the Year to Kyle Larson.