RCR News
Updated: 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
RCR/ECR Employees to Distribute Donations to Nashville Relief Effort: Employees of Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines will deliver and help distribute donated cleaning supplies May 25 for residents of the Nashville, Tenn., area who were adversely affected by last month's devastating flooding. An RCR Promotions show car trailer filled with donated cleaning supplies departed Monday from RCR headquarters in Welcome, N.C., headed for Cat Financial headquarters in Nashville. Tuesday morning, May 25, nearly two dozen RCR and ECR Engines employees will fly from Smith-Reynolds Airport, in Winston-Salem, to Nashville International Airport. The group will meet and divide the cleaning supplies at Cat Financial before making stops at United Way distribution centers in the area. RCR began collecting donations May 13 at the RCR Museum. "We wanted to do more than just drop off a trailer full of cleaning supplies in Nashville," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "People's lives were turned upside down by the flooding so we wanted to join our partners at Cat Financial to do something personal that shows how much we care. I want to thank everyone who donated and I'm very proud of all of the RCR and ECR employees who are helping distribute those supplies." Cleaning supplies collected over the past two weeks included bleach, scouring pads, dust masks, work gloves, heavy duty trash bags, paper towels, insect repellent and hand sanitizer.(RCR)
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Kevin Harvick signs multi-year extension with RCR: Richard Childress Racing and Kevin Harvick have signed a multi-year contract extension for the 2007 Daytona 500 winner to continue his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driving career with the 12-time NASCAR championship-winning organization. The announcement was made today in the infield media center at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "I'm happy to be able to continue my relationship with Richard and RCR because, over the last 10 years, we've been through a lot together," said Harvick. "Being able to put this piece of the puzzle in place couldn't have come at a better time for me and this team because we can focus solely on winning this championship." "Kevin has been a big part of RCR for more than a decade now so it's good to know our relationship will continue for years to come," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "The No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil team is leading the points and really working very well together this season. This new contract should only help build on their momentum."(RCR)
Budweiser or UPS to sponsor Harvick? Richard Childress Racing, which is expected to announce Saturday that it has signed Kevin Harvick to a contract extension, is making big pushes to land either Budweiser or UPS for next year, according to multiple sources in the Sprint Cup garage.(Ford Racing)
Thursday, May 13, 2010
RCR assisting Cat Financial Employees after Nashville flood: Richard Childress Racing is collecting monetary donations and cleaning supplies in an effort to assist employees of RCR partner Cat Financial, whose lives were adversely affected by the recent floods in Nashville, Tenn. Contributions can be dropped off the RCR Museum [Welcome, NC] from now through 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15. Cleaning supplies needed include: Bleach, Dish detergent, Scouring pads or sponges, Dust masks, Work gloves, Heavy duty trash bags (33-34 gallon), Cleaning towels, Scrub brushes, Paper towels, Insect repellent and Hand sanitizer. A Cat Financial employee relief fund has been established through the United Way. Non-tax-deductible donations can be made to "Cat Financial Employee Flood Relief Fund". To make tax-deductible contributions, checks must be made out to “United Way” but those funds aren’t guaranteed to go directly to the Cat Financial employees. Either contribution will be accepted at the RCR Museum. “Nashville and NASCAR have supported each other forever so this effort is a way for all of us at RCR, and our local fans, to give back to Nashville during this time of crisis,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “We know there are a great number of Cat Financial employees in Nashville who lost everything in the flooding. This effort won’t get them back what was lost in the devastation but, hopefully, it will help them start to recover.”(RCR)
Wednesay, May 12, 2010
RCR to honor Earnhardt's induction into HOF at All-Star race: Richard Childress Racing will further honor the legendary Dale Earnhardt’s induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame with special paint schemes in races over the next two weekends. The No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Austin Dillon, will pay tribute to the seven-time Cup Series champion in the May 14 NASCAR Camping WorldTruck Series Dover 200 at Dover International Speedway. Jeff Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar team will honor the legendary driver of the No. 3 in the May 22 Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “It’s a privilege to run this special paint scheme to honor Dale Earnhardt on the same weekend he will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” said Burton. “It’s a tremendous way to remind fans about the great things Dale did in the sport, his legacy that we still carry on and celebration of his induction into the inaugural class.” Earnhardt is one of five NASCAR legends who make up the inaugural class of NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees. The others, who will be inducted during a May 23 ceremony in Charlotte, include Bill France, Bill France, Jr., Junior Johnson and Richard Petty.(RCR)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Harvick denies report; says relationship with Childress is good: Kevin Harvick says he doesn't know where he'll drive next season, but it's fair to say he will remain with Chevrolet. Harvick said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway that he's had "many, many, many" conversations with team owner Richard Childress about staying with Richard Childress Racing when his contract expires after this season. He did not elaborate when asked if he's had conversations with other owners, such as Chevrolet owner Tony Stewart, with whom he reportedly was linked last season. But Harvick made it clear he's burnt no bridges with RCR, where he has driven in the Sprint Cup series since replacing the late Dale Earnhardt in 2001. He also made it clear that, because he uses Chevrolet with his Nationwide and Truck Series organization, he doesn't plan to switch manufacturers. "Richard Childress and myself, we've got a great relationship," said Harvick, who is fourth in points after missing the Chase last season. "We've been talking about a lot of things for several months. It's not anything different than we normally do at this time. The cars are running well. Everybody is communicating well. I don't know what else to say other than Richard and I have had many, many, many conversations over the last several months. What that means? Right now I'm driving the No. 29 car." Harvick took issue Thursday on Twitter about stories involving sources on his future [see post above]. Asked to clarify his future, he said: "If you're going to quote a source, quote their name. If they're too chicken to give their name, don't put their name in the paper. Anonymous sources are crap."(ESPN)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
SI Report.. Harvick: Burned bridges with RCR: Richard Childress Racing has probably lost its faint chance to keep Kevin Harvick on the heels of Wednesday's devastating announcement that Shell/Pennzoil is moving to Penske Racing in 2011 to sponsor Kurt Busch in the Sprint Cup Series. RCR already faced a serious, uphill challenge in trying to retain Harvick, who is in the final year of his contract, even if it had managed to hold onto Pennzoil, sponsor of Harvick's No. 29 since 2007. Harvick, according to multiple sources reached by SI.com but never confirmed by the driver, wanted out of RCR at the end of last season, but team owner Richard Childress held him to the contract. The duo came out strong out of the gate this season -- they led the points after five races and are currently fourth, 141 behind Jimmie Johnson -- but the sour feelings between the two haven't changed. "Kevin has burned all his bridges here," said a source requesting anonymity following the news of Shell's departure. The source reiterated the chances of Childress and Harvick dissolving their marriage were close to 100%. Harvick is the top free agent driver on the market. His preferred destination is Stewart-Haas Racing, where he'd have Hendrick equipment. Tony Stewart is on the record as wanting to expand to three cars next season, dependent upon sponsorship. With Harvick to sell and the broad range of commercial possibilities available through the team's partner-like association with Hendrick, Stewart-Haas has far greater ability to find a sponsor for Harvick. Kasey Kahne's decision to join Rick Hendrick's organization in 2012 has led to widespread speculation that he'll be at Stewart-Haas in 2011. Kahne certainly will be in Hendrick equipment next season and it's the logical place. The other possibility would be for Hendrick to ask Mark Martin to vacate the No. 5 a year early to go to Stewart-Haas. In either situation, it would require Stewart-Haas to run four cars in 2011. That 's not beyond the team's reach and it's where Stewart wants to get eventually.(Sports Illustrated)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
RCR statement on Shell's departure: The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and chief executive officer of Richard Childress Racing, regarding the announcement by Shell Oil Company that it will end its sponsorship of the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy at the conclusion of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season: "Shell and Pennzoil have been great partners with Richard Childress Racing since our first race together, when Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 team won the Daytona 500 in 2007. I'm disappointed that our partnership will conclude at the end of the year but understand some of the reasons that went into their business decision. RCR will continue to provide Shell-Pennzoil the highest caliber program possible, keeping in sharp focus the ultimate goal of winning the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. What this creates for RCR is the opportunity for a new partner to forge its own relationship and identity with Kevin Harvick and the championship-level team led by crew chief Gil Martin, our other race teams and drivers, and our other 35 partners. The No. 29 team has had only two primary sponsors since it began in 2001 but the number 3 has played a significant role at RCR for decades. We feel strongly that the third chapter of the No. 29 team's partnership history will be a successful one."(RCR)
Shell-Penzoil announces mult-year partnership with Penske Racing: Shell Oil Company and Penske Corporation announce a multi-year cross business alliance starting in the 2011 racing season. The new alliance allows Shell and Pennzoil to expand their motorsports presence as it includes a primary sponsorship with Kurt Busch and the No. 22 car, as well as associate sponsorships promoting Shell V-Power with IZOD IndyCar Series drivers Helio Castroneves, Will Power and Ryan Briscoe. The global business alliance provides an opportunity for Shell and Pennzoil to expand their presence not only within motorsports, but also as a preferred supplier of fuels, lubricants and related products to the Penske organization. Beginning in 2011, Shell and Pennzoil will be the "Official Fuel and Motor Oil Supplier" to the Penske organization in the U.S and the organizations will look to extend their alliance with business development opportunities in several other countries. The Penske organization is one of the world's most successful and recognized automotive-based business enterprises and provides unique activation opportunities. Additionally, this alliance continues to enable further product development for Shell and Pennzoil both on and off the track through the invaluable knowledge gained surrounding fuels, lubricants and engine technologies. Like Shell and Pennzoil, Penske Corporation has a close relationship with Chrysler and Ferrari, both part of the Fiat Group. Winning is a tradition for Penske, an organization that has earned more than 315 major race victories including 15 Indianapolis 500 wins and the 2008 Daytona 500, more than 370 pole positions and 22 national championships.
As part of the alliance, Pennzoil will become the "Official Motor Oil" of Penske Racing in 2011 which includes all of its entries in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series as well as the IZOD IndyCar Series. For Pennzoil, returning to Penske is a homecoming of sorts as Pennzoil first aligned with Penske as part of its IndyCar teams in 1983 and won the 1984 and 1988 Indianapolis 500 Mile Races with driver Rick Mears. In addition, Kurt Busch won his 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship driving a Pennzoil-supported car for another team.(Pennzoil Racing/Penske Racing PR)
Monday, April 19, 2010
Harvick in talks with Childress on contract extension: Richard Childress is still in talks with Kevin Harvick in hopes of keeping him with Richard Childress Racing in 2011. Childress doesn't expect his 2011 driver lineup to include Kasey Kahne. Rick Hendrick has signed Kahne for 2011 but must find him a ride in a Chevrolet for one season before Kahne takes over the Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 car in 2012. Aside from Kurt Busch, who is expected to re-sign with Penske Racing, Harvick is the most accomplished free agent driver available for next year as the 10-year veteran has 11 career victories. "Kevin and I are working hard together to stay together," Childress said Sunday prior to the Samsung Mobile 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. "Our plan right now is to stay together and our plan right now is to be together. Anything can change, but right now we're planning on racing together. We've been talking. We haven't signed nothing yet. But we're definitely talking in the right direction for him to be a big part of RCR and [keeping Kevin Harvick Inc.] all together." Sponsor Shell/Pennzoil also is up for renewal. "They're doing their [request for proposals] and we'll see where that comes out," Childress said. As far as whether he could expand his operation back to four teams, Childress said the key is managing growth and that the organization would need to make sure it is ready for a four-car team. He doesn't anticipate signing Kahne to fill any open ride.(SceneDaily)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Keyed-Up Motorsports to receive Earnhardt-Childress engines: Keyed-Up Motorsports announced that it has formed an alliance with Earnhardt-Childress Racing engines to supply the No. 90 Chevy and driver Casey Mears with horsepower for the remainder of the 2010 Sprint Cup Series Schedule. ECR develops and builds engines for its Chevrolet NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series teams and also leases engines for teams in NASCAR's top three series. ECR engines dominated the Daytona International Speedway earlier this season, as ECR engines were used by Nationwide race winner Tony Stewart, Sprint Cup Bud Shootout winner Kevin Harvick, and Daytona 500 race winner Jamie McMurray.(Keyed Up PR)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Early results, Furniture Row Racing is reaping benefits from RCR alliance: Joe Garone, general manager of Furniture Row Racing, said the team's new technical and engineering alliance with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has already had a positive impact. "It's been approximately six weeks since we formed an alliance with RCR, and we can already feel a special synergy between the two organizations," said Garone. "We're being treated as a teammate of RCR's multicar operation, and it's exciting to be aligned with one of the elite NASCAR Sprint Cup organizations. With the data sharing process going both ways, it will no doubt be a valuable asset for Furniture Row Racing and RCR." Garone added that as the alliance with RCR moves forward, the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevy, driven by Regan Smith, will be under the same chassis program as the three RCR teams of Kevin Harvick's No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet, Jeff Burton's No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet and Clint Bowyer's No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet. Garone also wanted to clear up any confusion about Furniture Row's engine program. "We are again running Hendrick engines," Garone said. "This is our third full season of having Hendrick horsepower under the hood of the Furniture Row Chevy." Garone said he is upbeat about the No. 78 team's performance. After suffering an early accident and a 39th-place finish at the season opening Daytona 500, Smith and the Furniture Row team have rebounded with finishes of 19th in California, 21st in Las Vegas and 14th in Atlanta. Smith is 26th in driver points. "We made a number of personnel moves during the off-season, and you can sense that we have a special team chemistry," said Garone. "We still have a ways to go, but the key right now is that we're heading in the right direction." The three RCR Cup teams are off to an incredible start. Harvick is first in driver points, Bowyer is fifth and Burton is sixth. "Looking at the current standings, it's obvious that we find ourselves in a great position," stated Garone. "It's an exciting time at Furniture Row Racing." (PR)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
RCR forms partnership with Hall of Fame Racing: Richard Childress Racing has entered into a partnership agreement with a group led by San Diego Padres executives Jeff Moorad and Tom Garfinkel. Moorad, the Padres' vice chairman and chief executive officer, and Garfinkel, the team's president and chief operating officer, will assist RCR in its business development and growth opportunities, and cooperate on other strategic initiatives. They will also participate on RCR's internal advisory group. "Over the past three years, Richard has become a trusted friend," said Jeff Moorad. "We believe in NASCAR and this opportunity allows us to be a contributing part of a winning organization, led by someone who we respect and trust." In 2007, Moorad, Garfinkel, and their ownership group purchased Hall of Fame Racing from NFL legends Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach. The team suspended operations after the 2009 NASCAR season. "I've gotten to know Jeff and Tom and feel that they can add a lot to what we're doing," said Richard Childress, president and chief executive officer of RCR. "This allows us to bring our individual strengths together and benefit all involved. I have learned over the last 40 years that you have to keep innovating and improving to be successful. This new partnership will complement our already strong organization."(RCR)
Thuesday, February 11, 2010
TRG Motorpsorts form alliance with RCR: TRG Motorsports announced a strategic alliance with Richard Childress Racing for its 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup program. In this new agreement, RCR will provide cars, chassis repairs and testing resources for TRG's Sprint Cup Series operations. TRG will team with Stewart-Haas Racing for Pit Crew support to coordinate faster pit stops. "All of these new partnerships are really a great thing for us as an organization," Team Owner Kevin Buckler said. "As a one-car team, our resources have been limited in the past. This is really the best of both worlds for us to work with strong, successful organizations like RCR and Stewart-Haas." After its first full year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, TRG Motorsports begins 2010 with Championship-winning driver Bobby Labonte in the No. 71 Chevy, Crew Chief Doug Randolph, a new executive team led by Torrey Galida and Grand-American Championship-winning Driver/Owner Kevin Buckler, the organization will build on its winning history for a successful future and is poised as a serious competitor. Despite being a one-car operation in a sport filled with multi-car teams, TRG Motorsports brings a new business plan and organizational outlook, positioning itself to successfully go toe-to-toe with the powerhouses of NASCAR. With a solid strategic alliance with Richard Childress Racing and engine program through Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies, TRG will begin its second year of Cup competition with a strong stable of Chevrolet Impalas and a vision to succeed. Sponsor TaxSlayer.com makes its return to NASCAR with TRG as the primary sponsor for a portion of the 2010 season. TaxSlayer.com made its debut in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series last year at Watkins Glen International Raceway and served as the primary sponsor of the No. 71 a total of six times in 2009.(TRG)
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Richard Childress Racing to honor former crew member D.J. Richardson: Richard Childress Racing will honor former pit crew member and front tire changer D.J. Richardson with memorial decals during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy will carry the decals behind the front tires for the February 6 Budweiser Shootout. The helmets of the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil over-the-wall crew members will also don special decals for the 2010 season. All three of RCR's Sprint Cup Series entries will carry the decals for the 52nd annual Daytona 500 on February 14, and its Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series entries will also carry the decals for their season-opening races. Richardson passed away December 25, 2009, from complications from the H1N1 virus. He joined RCR in July 2009 and finished the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season with the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy team. The 2005 Sprint Cup All-Star Rear-Tire Changer Champion began his Cup Series career with Andy Petree Racing in 1999. He also worked for Penske Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Braun Racing. The Leominster, Mass., native was 37. "D.J. should be jumping off the wall and changing tires for us again this season so we wanted to honor him in this special way," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "He was a valued member of the RCR family and is missed as we start the 2010 season."(RCR)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Harvick: No. 3 should be retired like famous numbers in other sports: So that begs the question, will a black No. 3 ever be raced in NASCAR’s Cup series again? Or, more importantly, should it? Opinions vary greatly. Kevin Harvick, who replaced Earnhardt at RCR after his death, says the No. 3 should be retired like famous numbers in other sports. Teammate Jeff Burton says the No. 3 should absolutely be raced in the Cup series again - under the right circumstances. “The 3 has a history to it and it has a heritage to it, and that history and heritage is not only linked to Dale Earnhardt but to Richard Childress Racing,” Burton said. “They collectively made the 3 a symbol of success and a commitment to do everything it took to win. … It is such a huge part of our sport, it should only be back in the right situation.” What is the right situation? “I don’t know,” Burton says. “It has to be a special situation. … With Richard Childress involved, the Earnhardt legacy has to be involved, all those things have to come together. If all those things come together, it is not only a good thing to do, it is the right thing to do.” The perfect scenario, of course, is for Earnhardt Jr. to move to Richard Childress Racing and drive a black No. 3. That may or may not be a possibility. If Earnhardt Jr. turns things around at Hendrick Motorsports, he likely will end his career there. (Scene Daily)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Furniture Row announces technical alliance deal with RCR: On the surface it looks basically the same. But behind the scenes it's a whole new look for the Furniture Row Racing team, which made significant personnel moves during the offseason as it readies to return to a full 36-race NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule in 2010. The team's driver (Regan Smith), car number (78) and car manufacturer (Chevy) remain the same for the new campaign, which kicks off Sunday Feb. 14 with NASCAR's traditional season opener -- the Daytona 500. But when you get beyond the driver, car make and car number, the Denver-based Furniture Row team is quite different than it has been in recent years. For starters, more than 20 new employees were hired during the offseason, increasing the team's growing staff to more than 60. Along with the new hires, Furniture Row Racing went even a step further to enhance its program by forming a technical and engineering alliance with Richard Childress Racing. "Being a single-car team against the mega, multicar teams has put us at a huge disadvantage over the years," said Garone. "Now that we have formed an alliance with RCR, we will have the ability to be secured in the top 35 and keep a better pace with the other multicar teams. RCR has always been a leader and a winner, and we are proud to be affiliated with Richard Childress and his outstanding organization."(Furniture Row Racing PR)
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Furniture Row expected to finalize technical alliance with RCR: Furniture Row Racing will put the finishing touches on its technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing this week. A meeting is scheduled on Friday between principles of the two companies in hopes to strengthened the single car operation at FRR and in essence create a satellite fourth car for RCR. "While the team may look the same on the outside, eternally we're much stronger," said Joe Garone, general manager of Furniture Row Racing. "One of the assets with the alliance with Richard Childress is our ability to be secure in the top 35. "During the last quarter, we decided we needed to run the full season. Around May or June, we realized how much it hurt us not to run the full season. We can race on the Furniture Row sponsorship, but it wouldn't allow us to expand to a second car. Our primary goal is to have the No. 78 team run at 100 percent efficiency." FRR will continue its partnership with Kevin Harvick Inc., with the pit crew. FRR contracts the over-the-wall crew who work at KHI full-time and pit Harvick's Nationwide Series cars.(FOXSports.com)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
RCR renews sponsorship agreement with BB&T: Richard Childress Racing has extended its partnership agreement with BB&T Corporation for the full-service financial institution to continue as a primary sponsor for eight races and the all-star race and a major associate sponsor of Clint Bowyer's No. 33 Chevy for the remaining 28 races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The Winston-Salem, N.C.-based corporation will also retain its status as the Official Bank of Richard Childress Racing. The primary sponsorship races for BB&T on the No. 33 Chevy occur within BB&T's primary branch banking footprint, which extended into Alabama while simultaneously increasing its market share in Florida last August. The No. 33 BB&T Chevy will compete March 7 and September 5 at Atlanta, March 21 at Bristol, March 28 and October 24 at Martinsville, April 25 and October 31 at Talladega, May 1 at Richmond, and May 22 at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the annual Sprint All-Star Race. "The BB&T/RCR partnership has been successful both on the track and in the marketplace," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "BB&T has created winning activation programs for its customers and clients through its racing activities and RCR has been fortunate enough to take BB&T to the winner's circle in the Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series, as well as the head table at the Nationwide Series championship banquet. We appreciate their continued commitment to RCR and the sport as a whole." The BB&T/RCR partnership began in 2007 with a partial Nationwide Series program with Bowyer. The program expanded in 2008, with primary sponsorship in the Nationwide Series and a two-race primary position with Bowyer's Sprint Cup Series program. Bowyer & Company went on to capture the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers' championship and won the Sprint Cup Series race in May at Richmond International Raceway. The program moved fulltime to the Cup Series in 2009.(RCR PR)
RCR to field only three cars in Daytona 500: A team spokesman confirmed Wednesday that the organization's No. 07 Chevy, driven last season by Casey Mears, would not make the trip to Daytona for the Sprint Cup Series' season opener on Feb. 14. As recently as last month, the team had indicated that the vehicle would appear at Daytona, where it has a guaranteed starting spot by virtue of Mears' 21st-place finish in owners' points last year. Wednesday, though, the team said that was no longer the case, and that RCR would field only the cars of Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, and Clint Bowyer. Jack Daniel's, the primary sponsor of the No. 07 last season, left NASCAR after 2009 and a full-time replacement has yet to be found. Mears also has yet to announce any definitive plans for the 2010 campaign. As for whether the No. 07 would hit the race track at some point beyond Daytona, the spokesman said there were currently no plans for the vehicle at this time.(NASCAR.com)
Friday, January 8, 2010
4th car in RCR stable unlikely in 2010: Richard Childress Racing will move into the future as a three-car team for 2010. Sponsorship was not available to run Casey Mears' No. 07 car this season but Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer will remain. "Right now we're going to run three Cup teams out of our shop," said Childress, "and possibly a rookie somewhere along the line but, right now, it's three teams. Casey, I'm hoping to try to find him something (at another team). He hasn't landed anything yet. He's a great guy and did a great job for us at the end of the year and I just wish there was something we could do with him but right now, I don't want to do anything with a fourth team that's going to take away from our other three teams."(Peoria Journal Star)
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Donald “D.J.” Richardson, RCR crew member, dies due to H1N1 complications: Richard Childress Racing pit crew member Donald “D.J.” Richardson, Jr., passed away December 25 in a Massachusetts hospital from complications of the H1N1 virus. He was 37. Richardson, of Leominster, Mass., contracted the H1N1 virus over the Thanksgiving holiday. He was admitted to Health Alliance Hospital in Leominster for evaluation, where it was determined he was suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome. “All of us at RCR are saddened by D.J.’s passing,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “D.J. was a gifted tire changer, one of the greatest team players in the business and a valued member of the RCR family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.” Richardson joined RCR in July 2009 and finished the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season as the rear-tire changer for the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy team. He began his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career with Andy Petree Racing in 1999. He has also worked for Penske Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Braun Racing. “I am shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of our friend and teammate,” said Matt Clark, director of human performance and leadership development of Richard Childress Racing. “Anyone who knew D.J. realized that below the tough exterior was a caring father, friend and teammate. He had a huge heart and would do anything to help someone in need. D.J. loved changing tires and was recognized as one of the top pit athletes at the position. I want to extend my condolences to his family and friends.” Details of memorial services in Massachusetts and North Carolina are pending and will be made available as soon as possible.(RCR)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
RCR layoffs a "fewer than a dozen" employees: With sponsor Jack Daniel's having left Richard Childress Racing at the end of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, a small number of layoffs have begun at the team's Welcome, N.C., shops. A team representative said that "fewer than a dozen" employees had been let go this week in advance of the No. 07 possibly being shut down for 2010. That decision has not been made yet, with team owner Richard Childress previously saying that he could wait as long as mid-January before making a definitive commitment on the team's plans for next season. As it stands now, the team has decided nothing for certain beyond entering the Daytona 500 next February. Also up in the air is the question of who will drive the car, if it does find sponsorship. Casey Mears was the pilot of the No. 07 this season, but was released at the end of the year. If he doesn't find another ride before Daytona, he could be back with the team, according to an RCR source. Mears also has been linked to a possible drive with the No. 09 Miccosukee Resorts-sponsored entry of Florida team owner James Finch.(SPEEDtv)
Friday, November 6, 2009
RCR to show support for Veterans programs: Richard Childress Racing will run decals on its race cars this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway promoting the Joe Foss Institute's Veterans Inspiring Patriotism program. The Joe Foss Institute, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization inspired and founded by Medal of Honor Recipient, General Joe Foss and his wife, Didi Foss. Its vision is to encourage an informed patriotism and to be nationally recognized as the premier organization promoting patriotism through personal contact in schools and with youth groups. The Veteran's Inspiring Patriotism program is designed to inspire patriotism, public service, integrity and an appreciation for America's freedoms. The program's emphasis is on the freedoms, liberties and rights which are protected under the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. This educational program is designed for grades K-12 and consists of a 30-50 minute presentation that includes a video, a personal testimony from a veteran and a question & answer period. This program is delivered at no cost to schools and does not promote any political, religious or military organization or agenda. In addition, all schools are eligible to receive free American flags for their classrooms and copies of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. For more information visit www.jfiweb.org.(RCR PR)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
RCR announces changes: Richard Childress Racing continues to retool team leadership with its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series teams. Following this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, Todd Berrier will take over the crew chief duties of the No. 31 Caterpillar team with driver Jeff Burton while Doug Randolph assumes Berrier's duties on the No. 07 Jack Daniel's team with driver Casey Mears. Starting this week at Memphis Motorsports Park, Dan Deeringhoff will replace Randolph in his return to the No. 29 Holiday Inn team with drivers Burton, Clint Bowyer and Stephen Leicht in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Scott Miller, who has led the No. 31 team since 2005, will move fulltime to the director of competition position he was named to in September. Minimal changes will also be made among crew members for the No. 07 and No. 31 teams. The crew chief position for RCR's development program will be named later. "I said previously that RCR would continue to adjust our team lineups in order to have the right personnel in place and this is the next step in that process," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "Todd, Doug and Dan are all proven winners so the goal of these moves is to put them in the best situations to continue that success. I'm confident that making these changes now will be a benefit to the teams for the rest of this season as well as in preparing for 2010."(RCR PR)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
RCR press conference scheduled: Sirius Speedway has learned that a press conference will be held early next week to announce personnel changes on Jeff Burton's No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team, including the signing of crew chief Todd Berrier. Berrier will replace Scott Miller, who was recently promoted to Director of Competition at RCR. Berrier has been a crew chief in the RCR organization since 2002. Sources close to the team say a meeting was held this week between Childress, Miller and Berrier to implement a transition plan, and to decide which members of Burton's over-the-wall and race day crews will be retained. Sources say some personnel changes will be implemented as soon as next week, with an official announcement expected on Tuesday.(Sirius Speedway)
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Childress making big changes to teams: Team owner Richard Childress, speaking on Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway, addressed the struggles of Richard Childress Racing and the possible departure of Kevin Harvick when the driver's contract expires at the end of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. "All I've got to say is we are making a lot of changes," said Childress. "We'll probably be announcing more changes next week coming. We're using these last races to get prepared for 2010. We know we have to be better. We've seen some improvements. I think if you look, we've been up front with the different cars in the last few weeks. This [new] car is very touchy and right now Hendrick [Motorsports] is right up on top of it. They've got it figured out for the most part. Kevin's going to be with us next year and [sponsor] Shell's going to be with us. "We'll just see how everything plays out in the future. I didn't see his interview [at California]. I've heard some comments on it but whatever happens, happens. We just move forward." Moving forward may not be an option with No. 07 entry of RCR's Casey Mears without sponsorship for 2010. (SceneDaily.com)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Jeff Burton expects Kevin Harvick to depart RCR: Richard Childress Racing driver Jeff Burton acknowledged on Thursday that teammate Kevin Harvick is expected to leave the company when his contract runs out at the end of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Burton, speaking at Lowe's Motor Speedway, was asked about Harvick's comments in a prerace television interview last Sunday at Auto Club Speedway where the 2007 Daytona 500 winner indicated he doesn't plan to compete for RCR beyond 2010. "I think that everybody is behaving in a very professional manner, and everybody is understanding that Kevin has a year left on his contract and he's going to do everything in his power to do the best job for RCR [and] RCR's going to do everything in their power to do their best job for him," Burton said. " Clint and I are going to continue to work with Kevin the same way we always have, and I think we're going to work together better actually not because he's leaving but because we need to. And things change. Kevin may look around eight months, 10 months from now and say, 'You know what: Things have really changed here, and I really think this is the place that we're going.' By his interview he indicated that wasn't going to happen, but you never know." Harvick, who has been with RCR's Cup program since being tabbed to replace Dale Earnhardt following the seven-time series champion's death on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, hasn't won a points-paying event since his Daytona 500 triumph in the 2007 season opener. Harvick missed the Chase this year and is 21st in the standings.(SceneDaily.com)
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009
RCR likely not picking-up Mears' second year option: Richard Childress Racing hasn't picked up the option on Casey Mears' contract and likely won't unless a sponsor is found to keep four cars in the organization. And even that's not a given. "If we don't have the funding to do it, I don't want to hold him back from getting another ride," team owner Richard Childress said Friday at Dover International Speedway. Mears signed a one-year deal, with an option for a second, to drive the No. 07 with Jack Daniel's as the sponsor. Jack Daniel's announced earlier in the week it will not return in 2010. Childress said the goal is to remain a four-car organization, noting a personal responsibility for keeping as many RCR employees as possible under tough economic times. If potential suitors aren't interested in Mears, who is 20th in points, sources said the organization may be forced to turn to another driver. "It all depends on sponsorship," Childress said. "Casey has done a good job. It's just unfortunate circumstances around Jack Daniel's to have to leave the sport."(ESPN.com)
Satruday, Sept. 26, 2009
Mears' uncertain future in 2010: With the announcement this week that Jack Daniels will not continue as a sponsor for the No. 07 Chevy, Casey Mears finds himself in a predicament for 2010. "I don't know what we're doing yet," Mears said. "I do know that Richard (Childress, team owner) is working hard to secure sponsorship for the fourth team." According to team sources, several potential sponsors toured the Richard Childress Racing campus in Welcome, N.C. this week. Possible driver/sponsor combinations for the fourth team could include a deal with Hall of Fame Racing/Ask.com or Paul Menard with the Menards brand. Another name that continues to be mentioned is Bobby Labonte. Childress admitted on Friday that there has been interest from sponsors, but would not elaborate on specifics. Mears signed a three-year deal last August that locked him in for 2009. The final two seasons were contingent on performance and Mears said that he is "just short" on the stipulations.(FOXSports.com)
Monday, Sept. 21, 2009
Jack Daniels to end sponsorship in NASCAR: Brown-Forman will conclude its Jack Daniel's NASCAR program and will not extend its sponsorship with Richard Childress Racing's No. 07 team. A change in Brown-Forman's spending priorities led to the decision to conclude the sponsorship that began in 2005. The Brown-Forman/Jack Daniel's partnership with RCR will continue for the remainder of the 2009 racing season and the entire team is committed to being competitive on the track each and every race. "Jack Daniel's has enjoyed a good five-year run with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and NASCAR, and we are pleased with the overall performance of our sponsorship program," said Tim Rutledge, vice president and brand director for Jack Daniel's. "We have enjoyed building strong relationships with the people in Richard's organization and throughout NASCAR. While it is difficult for us to end our formal relationship with RCR, the current economic environment has compelled us to revaluate our spending and we've concluded that other areas in the marketing mix require additional investment. We want to thank the many friends and fans of the Jack Daniel's 07 Racing Team, and we can't say enough about your incredible support over the last five years. And, as we have since 1866, we will continue to find ways to thank you and keep your loyalty of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey." Brown-Forman, Jack Daniel's, and RCR are particularly pleased to have taken a leadership role in communicating a responsible drinking message throughout its NASCAR sponsorship through its core message of Pace Yourself, Drink Responsibly, featured in all NASCAR promotional materials, including on the race car itself.
"Brown-Forman has been a great partner of RCR for the past five years through its Jack Daniel's brand," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "They quickly became a NASCAR-industry leader in the promotion of the Jack Daniel's brand through the Pace Yourself, Drink Responsibly messaging, which our fans have embraced. We understand the shift in their spending priorities during these tough economic times and the No. 07 Jack Daniel's Racing program will continue to provide that successful platform for the rest of the 2009 season. We have built many valuable relationships with the loyal Brown-Forman employees and their distributors during our partnership and look forward to maintaining those relationships in the future."(RCR PR)
Monday, Aug. 31, 2009
Kevin Harvick to return in the No. 29 in 2010: Kevin Harvick will drive Richard Childress Racing's No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy in 2010 for his 10th season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series despite rumors to the contrary. "Rumors about Kevin not driving for RCR next season have been flying around the garage area and in the media," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "We want to put the rumors behind us by stating together that Kevin will drive RCR's No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. RCR continues to work on the overall performance of the No. 29 team, like we are with all of our teams, and the plan is to end the season on a high note. Kevin and the No. 29 team are also preparing for next season with the goal of making a run at the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship."(RCR PR
Monday, Aug. 17, 2009
Sadler declines to comment on report: Elliott Sadler declined to comment specifically on the story today, saying simply, "I am committed to my race team, and have a contract through the end of the 2010 season." While Richard Childress and the Emporia, Va., driver do speak from time to time, it's generally about hunting, not racing. And well-placed sources at sources at RCR tell Sirius Speedway that there have been no talks about bringing Sadler to the team in 2010.(Sirius Speedway)
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009
E. Sadler to RCR? Rumors persist that Elliott Sadle will move into the No. 07 Chevrolet next season. Jack Daniels wants to return, but for a limited schedule. Sadler would be a bargain for RCR. Another option? JTG Racing, if Tad Geschickter expands his operation. Sadler still has a year on his contract with Richard Petty Motorsports but would be doing that company a favor if he left. The organization would be stronger with a three-car squad than stretching resources to run four teams.(FOXSports.com) )
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009
RCR and Jack Daniels to feature "Salute the American Auto Worker" paint scheme at MIS: Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR, will recognize the hard-working American auto worker this weekend in Michigan International Speedway. Because of its proximity to Detroit and General Motors' headquarters, Childress and primary sponsor Jack Daniel's have teamed to showcase a special hood design for the CARFAX 400. In addition to the race car, the Jack Daniel's show car will feature the phrase "Jack Salutes the American Auto Worker" at all its stops in the area. Fans can also see the specially-themed Chevy on Sunday at the Chevy display, located inside the MIS midway area. Mr. Jack's Crew will unload chassis No. 282 from the Richard Childress Racing garage. This Chevrolet Impala SS was last raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July where it finished 19th. This will be the second time this chassis has seen race action.(RCR PR )
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
RCR statement regarding Harvick: The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, regarding recent reports about RCR team sponsor Shell-Pennzoil and Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet Impala SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: “Richard Childress Racing has a multi-year contract with Shell-Pennzoil that includes the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Shell-Pennzoil remains a great partner for RCR and Kevin Harvick as well as our sport overall. RCR also has a multi-year contract with Kevin Harvick that includes the 2010 season. That said, Shell will be the sponsor and Kevin will be the driver of RCR’s No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet Impala SS in 2010.”(RCR.com)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Report: Harvick wants to join Stewart-Haas Racing: Kevin Harvick has told Richard Childress he would like to leave after this season, according to multiple sources. Harvick has one year remaining on his contract with RCR, but the Shell/Pennzoil sponsorship deal on the No. 29 Chvey ends at the end of this season, and Harvick is trying to move with it to Stewart-Haas. Tony Stewart has said his team is interested in running a third car in Sprint Cup in 2010. Childress is in a tough spot. He could hold Harvick to the contract and try to re-sign Shell/Pennzoil, but in a performance-based business, the Stewart-Haas option, undoubtedly, is more appealing to the gas and oil company. If Shell/Penzoil decides to leave, Childress has to find $15 million to $20 million in sponsorship to replace it -- a very difficult prospect in this economy. Harvick would also bring additional Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series capability to the organization, joining the JR Motorsports operation owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick. Kevin Harvick Inc. competes in both series.(SI.com)
Monday, June 29, 2009
Earnhardt's famous No. 3 on display at festival: The Richard Childress Racing No. 3 GM Goodwrench Chevy that seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt earned his 76th and final victory in will participate in this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in England on July 3-5, 2009. Taylor Earnhardt, 20, Earnhardt’s youngest child, will drive the car in demonstration runs during the three-day festival. It is her inaugural turn behind the wheel of a stock car. She will be accompanied by her mother, Teresa Earnhardt, president and CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc., founded in 1980 with her legendary husband. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual event held since 1993 at the Goodwood House in West Sussex, a place of great British motorsports history. Race cars old and new will participate in both demonstration and competition runs up the nine-turn 1.16-mile hillclimb circuit. This year’s gathering will include a number of NASCAR stock cars in honor of the 50th anniversary of Daytona International Speedway. The car was prepared by and will be cared for at the Goodwood Festival of Speed by former No. 3 team crew members Danny Lawrence and Rich Burgess. Lawrence is currently the assistant head engine builder/trackside manager for Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines and Burgess is the shop manager for RCR’s No. 31 Caterpillar team in the NSCS.(RCR PR)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
RCR denies report of lawsuit against GM: The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing regarding allegations that RCR has filed a lawsuit against General Motors: “I would like to set the record straight that RCR has NOT filed a lawsuit against General Motors and I do not appreciate anyone suggesting otherwise. As is standard practice in bankruptcy proceedings, RCR has made a filing which is common among creditors in these situations. As previously stated as recently as this past weekend in Sonoma, RCR is proud to be associated with General Motors and we are working closely with them during these difficult economic times.” (RCR PR)
Monday, June 22, 2009
RCR looking for sponsorship money: There is speculation that Chevy team owner Richard Childress may have to cut back to a two-car operation next season, if the Shell and Jack Daniels sponsorships are not renewed. Childress says he intends to have four Cup teams again next year, but conceded sponsorship issues remain to be resolved. Childress, through the Winston-Salem law firm Womble, Carlyle, has filed legal papers over what he says is GM's non-payment of a bill of $2,538,750. Childress insists he's not suing GM over its failure to make that payment due June 15th. That bill would apparently be a scheduled quarterly payment, part of a $10 million a year Chevrolet sponsorship for Childress' four-team operation.(mikemulhern.net)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Richard Childress statement regarding General Motors: The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, regarding cutbacks by General Motors: “Richard Childress Racing is proud to be associated with General Motors and Chevrolet. I’ve been driving Chevys since I ran a Camaro in Talladega’s first Cup race in 1969 and I look forward to continuing that relationship. I’ve been fortunate to see some of the great new products General Motors has to offer, vehicles with great fuel mileage and styling. I’ve recently purchased a new Corvette and a Camaro and they’re two of the finest cars I’ve ever driven. RCR is honored to help showcase GM products to help sell them in the dealerships. These difficult economic times have forced all of us to evaluate our budgets closer than ever but I can assure you that this will not affect our competition on the track.”(RCR PR)
An insight into much GM pays Sprint Cup teams: While no one is saying how much General Motors is cutting its financial support from teams, at least one court document puts a price tag on it. Try $2,538,750. And that's to one Cup team. A court document shows that GM was to have paid RCR Enterprises, LLC (i.e. Richard Childress Racing) that amount on June 15. Childress spoke Friday at Infineon Raceway about the GM situation. Asked if he received his June 15 payment from GM, Childress said: "That's kind of personal. I didn't ask you if you got your paycheck this week.'' If nothing else, that gives you a sense of some of the money that's out there and involved in this sport. Childress would not reveal what kind of cutbacks GM is making with his team. Asked if he would have to lay anyone off, Childress said: "I don't know really what all is going to happen. We're going to have to make cuts like everybody in the sport or in business. We don't want to cut performance. For sure, we're not going to cut performance. We'll cut a lot of other things before that.'' (Virginian-Pilot)
Friday, June 5, 2009
Cup owner Richard Childress elected to NRA Board of Directors: NASCAR championship-winning team owner Richard Childress realized a long-time dream when he was recently elected to the board of directors of the National Rifle Association. The NRA Board of Directors is elected by the Association’s four million members and has a broad spectrum of constituents with varying backgrounds, from law enforcement to competitive shooting, political activists to elected officials. Notable NRA Board members include Lt. Col. Oliver North, Karl Malone, Ted Nugent and Tom Selleck. The Board of Directors oversees the policies and programs developed by the organization. Childress, of Clemmons, N.C., is a lifelong supporter of the Second Amendment, a big-game hunter and an outdoor conservationist. The 12-time NASCAR championship-winning team owner is a Life Member of the National Rifle Association, Safari Club International, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Grand Slam Club/Ovis (Grand Slam #901). He was named a Board Member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in 2008. Childress works with local, state and national agencies on wildlife/outdoor conservation efforts and many related charities. He worked with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in 2000 to reintroduce an elk herd into North Carolina for the first time in 200 years. His family recently teamed with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to create the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma.(RCR)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Dale Earnhardt's famous black No. 3 now in N.C. Sports Hall of Fame: The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame is now home to a black No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet made famous by the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR President and CEO, Richard Childress, with whom Earnhardt won six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships from 1986 to 1994, was on-hand for the May 13 celebration in downtown Raleigh, N.C. The 2000 No. 3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo was unveiled next to a 1963 No. 3 Chevrolet Impala made famous by pioneer NASCAR driver and car owner Junior Johnson. The race cars are on display in the lobby of the North Carolina Museum of History in the Sports Hall of Fame. “To be able to put one of Dale’s cars into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame after everything he accomplished as a lifelong resident of North Carolina is a great honor,” said Childress. “Dale was inducted into the hall of fame years ago so we felt it was important to have one of RCR’s famous black No. 3 GM Goodwrench Chevys on display there, too.” (RCR PR)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Primary Sponsorship for Prilosec OTC on Two RCR Cars in 2009: Prilosec OTC, the No. 1 doctor and pharmacist recommended over-the-counter acid reducer, will be the primary sponsor of two of Richard Childress Racing teams for three races during the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Prilosec OTC will be the primary sponsor of the No. 31 Prilosec OTC-Walmart Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway in May and Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July. Primary sponsorship will then be featured on the No. 33 Prilosec OTC-Walmart Chevrolet driven by Clint Bowyer at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., in October. Prilosec OTC has been an associate sponsor of RCR’s No. 31 team since 2006. “Over the last four seasons, we’ve engaged millions of race fans, educating them on how Prilosec OTC can treat their frequent heartburn and get them back to enjoying NASCAR to the fullest,” said Robert Cleveland, Prilosec OTC Brand Manager. “Our partnerships with RCR and NASCAR play an important role in showcasing Prilosec OTC’s product benefits and its ability to treat frequent heartburn all day and all night with one pill a day.” Throughout the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Prilosec OTC has been featured on the rear quarter panel of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevy as well as the uniforms and firesuits of Burton and the entire No. 31 team. (RCR PR)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Richard Childress Racing announces 40th anniversary plans: Richard Childress Racing launched its 40th anniversary celebration today at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, the track where Richard Childress made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut and where good fortune shined on his racing destiny. The RCR 40th Anniversary Celebration will continue through Nov. 1, 2009, the length of time between the two Sprint Cup Series races at Talladega. The cornerstone of the program will include the Pick the Greatest RCR Moment contest on RCR's website (www.rcrracing.com), where fans will vote on one of a dozen great moments in RCR history, with one lucky fan winning RCR's VIP prize package for two to the Oct. 30-Nov. 1 AMP Energy 500 weekend. "I've been very fortunate in my racing career and I look forward to giving something back to the fans and sharing with them some of the great stories from the past 40 years," explained Childress. "Talladega has always been a special place to me, from Mr. France (Bill France Sr.) allowing me to get my first Cup Series start there to some of the great runs Dale (Earnhardt) had to trying to win the race here this weekend. It just made sense to kick things off at Talladega. I'm looking forward to spending time with the winner of the Pick the Greatest RCR Moment contest in October." Additional activities during the RCR 40th Anniversary Celebration will include a monthly breakdown of RCR highlights, from Childress' driving career to the halcyon days with the legendary Dale Earnhardt and the famed black No. 3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolets to the current six-team operation with drivers Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, Casey Mears, Stephen Leicht and Austin Dillon. (RCR PR)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Childress statement on No. 29 & No. 07 swap: Kevin Harvick and Casey Mears, who will maintain their race spotters, are currently 16th and 22nd, respectively, in the Sprint Cup Series point standings after eight races. “The decision to interchange the 29 and 07 teams was made to make both programs stronger and more successful,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Our main objective has always been to have all four of RCR’s teams qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Neither team has had the success this season that we know they’re capable of, so we decided it was time to make a change to improve the two teams and the overall strength of RCR. We feel this change positions us to achieve that goal. Todd and Gil are proven winners who have strong and successful teams behind them. Chemistry is an important part of any successful organization and I felt it was time to change the makeup of these two teams. We’ve done this before with positive results.”(RCR PR)
Harvick, Mears to swap Crew Chiefs and Crews: In a move to upgrade performance, Richard Childress Racing will swap crews and crew chiefs between Kevin Harvick's No. 29 team and Casey Mears' No. 07 team, multiple team sources told ESPN.com Wednesday. Sources said the swap will take effect prior to next weekend's event at Richmond International Raceway. The crews will remain as-is for this weekend's race at Talladega Superspeedway, sources said. (ESPN.com)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Richard Childress Racing 40th Anniversary Announcement: RCR has scheduled a press conference for Saturday, April 25, at 9:30 a.m. in the infield media center at Talladega Superspeedway. The press conference will kick off RCR’s 40th anniversary celebration that will conclude at the fall races in Talladega, where Childress made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in 1969 in the track’s inaugural event. (RCR PR)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Bowyer's crew wins Tissot Pit Road Precision Award: The No. 33 crew for Clint Bowyer won the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award in Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, becoming the fourth different team in as many races to capture top honors for pit road achievement. Bowyer's crew captured the Tissot pit road win as a result of the team's No. 33 BB&T Chevrolet Impala SS spending the least amount of time on pit road (364.400 seconds) during the Kobalt Tools 500. The quick pit stops helped lift Bowyer to a sixth-place finish as the Richard Childress Racing driver remained second in the driver point standings. Bowyer's over-the-wall crew consists of: Clint Pittman (front-tire changer), Shane Stevenson (front-tire carrier), Daniel Rankin (rear-tire changer), Michael Hodges (rear-tire carrier), Bill Ferguson Jr. (jackman), Bryan Smith (gasman), Chad Haney (catch can) and Scott Brewer (eighth man). The team's crew chief is Shane Wilson, pit crew coach is Matt Clark and the strength/conditioning coach is Ray Wright. For winning the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award, the #33 team will receive $5,000. The team with the most pit road wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule will earn a $100,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the driver and over-the-wall crew members. (DMF Communications/Tissot PR)
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Bass Pro Founder and CEO John L. Morris donates to Childress Pediatric Trauma Institution: News of the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma and its needs has touched the hearts of many generous donors who have recently made significant contributions. Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center has announced a $1 million commitment from John L. Morris, founder and chief executive officer of Bass Pro Shops, to the Childress Institute. An additional $1 million pledge has been made by an anonymous private family foundation. Another recent gift was made by the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Foundation, established by Eddie Smith, owner and CEO of Grady-White Boats Inc., of Greenville, N.C. The Smith Foundation made a $250,000 commitment to the Institute for research and expansion of programs in pediatric trauma care. To date, contributors have given nearly $2 million to the Childress Institute, and pledges total almost $8.5 million. On July 30, 2008, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and the Richard Childress family announced the formation of the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. The Childress Institute’s mission is to significantly improve survival rates of children nationwide who suffer serious injuries and reduce the lifelong impact of traumatic injuries in children. Richard Childress and his family have provided $5 million to the Medical Center to initiate the project. For more information on the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma visit www.childresspediatrictrauma.org.(RCR PR)
Friday, March 6, 2009
RCR/No Fear Racing to debut pushed back to Infineon: This weekend was supposed to be the debut of Sprint Cup’s newest team, the No. 60 Ford for RCM / No Fear Racing driven by Boris Said. But a change in philosophy has pushed back the debut of the organization until Infineon in June. “I learned an important lesson in this sport that I should have known as a new owner,” said RCM / No Fear CEO Rick Clark. “My enthusiasm to debut the team is a lesson in patience that I should have learned playing college football and in the NFL. I would much rather make mistakes before we get to the track as opposed to on the track, and I don’t want to put Boris in a situation that we were not ready for. So, the decision was made, as much as I was eager, to debut the team at a track where we’re capable of contending for the win. I know there will be speculation as to why we didn’t run, but rather than burn up money I’d rather burn up rubber when the time is right. I’ve been waiting for five years, and I sure as heck can wait three more months to take a chance at Victory Lane.“ Clark said announcements on specific sponsors and programs will be forthcoming for the June event. Following Infineon, the team still plans to run a limited schedule of races in 2009 before plans to move up to full-time competition in 2010.(Frontstretch Newsletter)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Wilson named Crew Chief of the Race: Shane Wilson, crew chief of the #33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevy driven by Clint Bowyer has been named the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race in Sunday's Shelby 427 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In addition to the $1,000 check, the winning crew chief will receive signage to announce the win on their pit box the following week. The crew chief with the most weekly wins will be honored as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and will be presented a $20,000 check at the season finale in Homestead, FL.(Wypall PR)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Oil filter not blown engine for K. Harvick: Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines employees discovered a punctured oil filter on the engine of Kevin Harvick’s No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy after hard contact with the outside wall of Auto Club Speedway on lap 208. The filter was replaced and the engine restarted but the damage done to the car prevented the team from returning to the race and ending Harvick's DNF streak at 81.(RCR PR)
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Harford to sponsor RCR: With its iconic stag logo ready to stand firm on the hood at top speeds of 200 miles per hour, The Hartford Financial Services Group announced that it will sponsor Richard Childress Racing's No. 33 Chevy and driver Clint Bowyer at the following three Sprint Cup Series races this year - Dover International Speedway on May 31, New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 28, and Pocono Raceway on August 2. The Hartford will also be an associate sponsor of RCR's No. 31 Caterpillar Chevy and driver Jeff Burton in the Sprint Cup Series. Both Bowyer and Burton will be spokesmen for the program, which will focus primarily on automobile and home insurance. For more information about The Hartford's commitment to racing, see thehartfordracing.com.(RCR PR)
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Harvick wins Bud Shootout: Kevin Harvick received a huge push from Denny Hamlin to power into the lead and steal a win in Saturday night's exhibition Budweiser Shootout. Jamie McMurray appeared headed for the win at Daytona International Speedway until a late wreck set up a two-lap overtime sprint to the finish. Harvick was in fourth on the restart, and didn't seem to have anything for McMurray. But as they closed in on the finish line, he used the push from Hamlin to slide past McMurray on the outside. He coasted to the win as Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch all crashed behind him. (Associated Press) 2009 Bud Shootout Results
Mears tested three times in offseason: Casey Mears and the No. 07 Richard Childress Racing crew tested three times prior to Speedweeks in an effort to get to know one another and be better prepared for 2009. The group was at Nashville Superspeedway on Nov. 4, 2008, at GM’s Desert Proving Grounds in Mesa, Ariz., from Jan. 12-14 and at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna, Fla., on Tues., Jan. 27.(RCR PR)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Harvick expects to test atleast ten times in '09: Todd Berrier, crew chief for Richard Childress Racing’s #29-Kevin Harvick, expects that his team will test at least 10 times next year despite NASCAR’s ban on testing at all tracks that host its Sprint Cup, Nationwide, Truck, East and West series. Berrier expects his team will look at options such as the Virginia International Raceway and Heartland Park Topeka (Kan.) road courses, along with Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina and the half-mile Sandusky Speedway in Ohio. None of the facilities is covered by the ban. “The places you can test, you’re going to test,” Berrier said in a phone interview Monday. Berrier expects the #29 team to test several times throughout the season at non-NASCAR venues and possibly before the season begins, weather permitting.(SceneDaily.com)
Friday, December 12, 2008
Childress interstate dedicated Richard Childress Freeway: Richard Childress is used to high speeds from the NASCAR teams he owns, and soon motorists traveling along Interstate 85 in Davidson County will zoom along a stretch named for him. N.C. Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett will join local officials in a ceremony dedicating the Richard Childress Freeway on Tuesday. The stretch runs from Lake Road to U.S. Highway 64 East. The designation will be in honor of Childress and the work he has done for Davidson County and the Piedmont region of North Carolina. (Lexington Dispatch)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
BB&T to sponsor RCR's No. 33: BB&T Corporation and Richard Childress Racing have agreed to an 11-race sponsorship for RCR’s #33 Chevy with driver Clint Bowyer for the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season. In addition to 10 points races, BB&T will also be the primary sponsor on Bowyer’s #33 Chevy for the annual Sprint Cup Series all-star race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May. The March 8 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway will mark the first of three consecutive races for BB&T, followed by four in a row starting at Talladega in April and wrapping up with the all-star festivities in Charlotte. In September, BB&T will be showcased again in Atlanta and at Dover for the first of three Chase for the Sprint Cup races. Bowyer’s #33 Impala SS will also feature a burgundy and gold BB&T paint scheme at Martinsville and Talladega next fall. BB&T will serve as a major associate sponsor of the #33 Chevy for the remaining 26 races on the 2009 schedule while General Mills’ brands Cheerios and Hamburger Helper will be the primary sponsor. Next season will mark the second-consecutive year that BB&T has expanded its role within the RCR family of sponsors. In 2007, BB&T sponsored a partial Nationwide Series schedule with Bowyer in RCR’s flagship #2 Chevrolet. That role evolved into a 25-race schedule in 2008, in addition to two races on the #07 Chevy in the Sprint Cup Series.(RCR PR)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Richard Childress responds to Jack Daniel's media reports: The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, regarding recent unsubstantiated reports in the media about Jack Daniel’s leaving RCR after the 2008 season. “Jack Daniel’s and Richard Childress Racing have a contract through the 2009 season. Any reports in the media to the contrary are simply not accurate.” (RCR PR)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Jeff Burton picks up Caterpillar as primary sponsorship for No. 31: Caterpillar Inc. and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) have agreed to a multi-year partnership for the #31 Chevy driven by Jeff Burton beginning with the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season. Burton, a 20-time winner in Sprint Cup Series competition, is currently second in the 2008 point standings with one victory, four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in the season's first 15 races. The #31 team has made the "Chase for the Championship" the past two seasons, finishing seventh in 2006 and eighth last year. "To represent a well-known global brand like Caterpillar is an honor," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. "Cat products have played a big part over the decades in construction projects at RCR, Childress Vineyards and Yadkin River Angus. Jeff and I look forward to meeting the Cat dealers and customers who loyally follow NASCAR racing." The 2009 season will mark Caterpillar's 17th year of sponsorship in NASCAR. It will also be Richard Childress' 40th anniversary in the sport. “Success in the highly competitive environment of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series requires substantially greater levels of technology and investment than even a few years ago,” said Jim Parker, vice president of Caterpillar’s North American Commercial Division. “Joining Richard Childress and his team matches two organizations that share common values, as well as high levels of success. I'm confident this new partnership will excite Caterpillar's customers, dealers and employees."(Richard Childress Racing PR)
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