2013 Races [20+2] that Budweiser is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Daytona, Sprint Unlimited - 2/16
Daytona 500 - 2/24
Bristol - 3/17
Martinsville - 4/7
Talladega - 5/5
Darlington - 5/11
Charlotte, All-Star Race - 5/18, team with Rheem
Charlotte - 5/26, Folds of Honor
Michigan - 6/16
Kentucky - 6/29
Daytona - 7/6
New Hampshire - 7/14
Pocono - 8/4
Watkins Glen - 8/11
Richmond - 9/7
Chicago - 9/15
New Hampshire - 9/22
Dover - 9/29
Kansas - 10/6
Texas - 11/3
Phoenix - 11/10
Homestead - 11/17

2013 Races [6 + 1/2] that Rheem is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Las Vegas - 3/10
Texas - 4/13
Charlotte, All-Star - 5/18, team with Budweiser
Pocono - 6/9
Sonoma - 6/23
Michigan - 8/18
Talladega - 10/20

2013 Races [8] that Jimmy John's is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Phoenix - 3/3
Auto Club - 3/24
Dover - 6/2
Indianapolis - 7/28
Bristol - 8/24
Atlanta - 9/1
Charlotte - 10/12
Martinsville - 10/27

2013 Races [1] that Bad Boy Bugies will be the sponsor:
Kansas - 4/21

2013 Races [1] that Bell Helicopters will be the sponsor:
Richmond - 4/27

The #3: Richard Childress said on 6/19/2009 that he has NO plans to run the #3 in Sprint Cup anytime in the near future
BUT has said his grandson, Austin will in all likelyhood run the #3 when he moves up to Sprint Cup Series in the near future, but the number style would be different. Childress has asked the Earnhardt's if they had a problem running the #3 and DaleJr said he did not have a problem with it.(4/2012)
AND Childress said fan reaction has left him more open minded to using the #3 in the future, but no plans to use it during the 2013 season.(1-22-2013)

Contract Status: Driver: 2013, then leaves for SHR; Primary Sponsors: Budweiser 2013

Sad News - Gilford Hicks Martin Sr: #29-Kevin Harvick will be without his crew chief for practice at Pocono Raceway and possibly on race day Sunday as Gil Martin mourns the death of his father. Gilford Hicks Martin Sr. died Friday. He was 89. Gil Martin did not travel with the Richard Childress Racing team to Pocono, where events were being delayed by rain Friday with the weather expected to clear for track activity Saturday. It will not be determined until Sunday morning whether Martin will fly to Pocono with the race-day pit crew for the Sprint Cup race Sunday. If Martin does not travel to the track, car chief Chad Haney would call the race Sunday with the help of competition director Eric Warren.(Sporting News), Martin plans to be at Pocono for the race on Sunday.(6-8-2013)

Rheem returns to the #29: The red Rheem logo will adorn the hood of the #29 Richard Childress Racing Chevy this weekend at Pocono Raceway for their fourth of seven appearances during the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season. Rheem will also be featured on Harvick's Chevy at Sonoma in June, Michigan in August and Talladega in October (RCR), see images of the scheme on the #29 Team Schemes page.(6-6-2013)

Kevin Harvick wins the Coca Cola 600: #29-Kevin Harvick won the Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway for his 2nd win of 2013, 2nd Coca Cola 600 and 21st career win.
#5-Kahne finished 2nd followed by #78-Busch, #11-Hamlin, #22-Logano, #39-Newman, #14-Stewart, #15-Bowyer, #56-Truex Jr. and #9-Ambrose.
Points leader #48-Johnson wrecked late in the race and finished 22nd, down 5 laps.
On lap 126, a cable for Fox's overhead camera broke and fell on to the track, #18-Busch, who was 3rd at the time, caught the cable and it tore up the right front fender. The red flag was issued and cars were parked on pit road while crews cleaning up the cable. #9-Ambrose also had brake line tore off from the rope/cable and stuck in the grill and some damage to the roof. Busch got a phone/camera and took pictures of the damage as the crew was not allowed on pit road to look at the car. Once the cable/rope was removed, the cars took a lap and were brought to pit road for 15 minutes. Each team was allowed to check their cars for any damage the cable/rope may have caused. The team for #18-Busch, replaced a lot of the right fender. #55-Martin ran over the cable/rope and had some front splitter damage, then the rope went over the #9 Ford and wrapped aropund the left rear wheel area and broke a brake line. #42-Montoya had some slight damage and the team made repairs. #11-Hamlin had some damage to a roof flap. The red flag lasted 26 minutes.
#18-Busch led 65 laps and was a strong contender until he lost an engine on lap 257 and finished 38th.
On lap 326 #43-Almirola and #55-Martin made contact, sending the #55 and #43 into the frontstretch wall, collecting #24-Gordon, #47-Labonte, #13-Mears & #17-Stenhouse Jr., the red flag came out to clean up the track.
There were 24 lead changes among 12 drivers and 11 cautions for 61 yellow flag laps and three red flags (camera cable & a big wreck).
The average speed was 130.521mph. NASCAR no longer announces the track attendance.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Charlotte Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Charlotte Penalty Report (pdf).
See the Official Charlotte Race and Points Report.(5-27-2013)

Harvick Makes Special Appearance at Fort Bragg: America's most iconic beer paid tribute to America's heroes on Thursday, as Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, made a special visit with military men and women stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. Folds of Honor Foundation founder Major Dan Rooney and Rocky Sickmann, director of military sales for Anheuser-Busch and retired U.S. Marines Sergeant, joined Harvick at Fort Bragg while he visited the Warrior Transition Battalion's (WTB) Soldier and Family Assistance Center. The Fort Bragg Warrior Transition Battalion provides command and control, primary care and case management for warriors who have suffered injury or illness while serving as a member of the U.S. Army. "I'm always at a loss for words for how to express my utmost gratitude to the men and women who serve our country," Harvick said. "I know the entire NASCAR community is behind me when I say I can't thank these individuals enough for their dedication and service. Freedom isn't free. It's because of them that we can enjoy even the simplest things in life." While at Fort Bragg Harvick presented the installation with the firesuit he wore while driving the #29 Budweiser Armed Forces Chevy to victory in the 2011 Coca-Cola 600. The firesuit was accepted by Major Jason Todd of the WTB on behalf of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) group. Harvick's visit to Fort Bragg was a part of Budweiser's "Red, White and Blue Summer" initiative, which benefits Folds of Honor Foundation. Since 2010, Anheuser-Busch has raised more than $5 million for the Folds of Honor Foundation and provided more than 1,000 scholarships to the families of soldiers killed or disabled in service. From May 5 to July 4, 2013, with every purchase of Budweiser, the King of Beers will make a donation to the Folds of Honor Foundation up to $1.5 million*.(Bud Racing)(5-26-2013)

Folds of Honor scheme for Harvick: The #29 Budweiser Folds of Honor Chevy of Kevin Harvick will don a special patriotic paint scheme for Sunday's 600-mile event at Charlotte Motor Speedway to reflect the special "Red, White and Blue Summer" packaging featured on the iconic Budweiser bottles and cans this summer. The packaging represents a special initiative in which the brand will contribute a portion of all sales from May 5 - July 4 to help raise as much as $1.5 million for the Folds of Honor Foundation*, which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for families of U.S. military personnel killed or disabled while serving their country. Since 2010, Budweiser has raised more than $5 million for the Folds of Honor Foundation and provided more than 1,000 educational scholarships to the families of soldiers killed or disabled in service. (*Donation of 2 cents per case of Budweiser sold, May 5, 2013 to July 4, 2013, with a maximum donation of $1.5 million.)(RCR)(5-24-2013)

Harvick to visit Fort Bragg: #29-Kevin Harvick will join Folds of Honor Foundation founder Major Dan Rooney at Fort Bragg to make a special presentation to the base, tour the Warrior Transition Battalion and meet with soldiers on Thursday, May 23rd. The visit is a part of Budweiser's "red, white and blue summer" initiative, which benefits the Folds of Honor Foundation. Since 2010, Budweiser has raised more than $5 million for the Folds of Honor Foundation and provided more than 1,000 educational scholarships to the families of soldiers killed or disabled in service. Harvick's No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS will feature a special patriotic paint scheme that reflects the King of Beers' limited-edition red, white and blue packaging as well as the Folds of Honor Foundation in the Memorial Day Weekend 600-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.(Bud Racing)(5-20-2013)

Richard Childress Receives Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from UNOH: In a ceremony held at Sapona Ridge Country Club in Lexington, NC, legendary NASCAR team owner Richard Childress received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) on Wednesday, May 15. With more than 100 people in attendance, including his wife Judy, daughter Tina Dillon, son-in-law Mike Dillon, and grandsons Austin and Ty Dillon, the 14-time championship race team owner was bestowed the honor by Dr. Jeffrey Jarvis, president of UNOH. Dr. Jarvis presented the degree based on Childress' achievements in the high performance/motorsports industry, his commitment to assist in the school's goal of achieving educational excellence and his lifetime achievements in the field of auto racing.(RCR)(5-16-2013)

"A Racer's Life: Richard Childress" debuts Sunday: Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, will be featured in the next installment of SPEED TV's on-going series, "A Racer's Life: Richard Childress" this Sunday at 8:30pm/et. The hour-long show takes viewers for an in-depth and personal account of the driver-turned-championship-owner's life and career. He talks about how he got into racing, the glory years with Dale Earnhardt, and after, and the growth of Richard Childress Racing to where it is today. The interview was conducted in four different places with four different people. Austin Dillon, Childress' grandson and driver of RCR's #3 Advocare Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and former RCR driver, Ricky Rudd. A rare interview with Judy Childress, Richard's wife, adds even more of an in-depth and first-hand account of the 14-time championship team owner, family man, outdoorsman and businessman. In the program, Childress details his path to NASCAR greatness through key milestones, including his first visit to the track to his stint as an independent NASCAR racer; the difficult decision to hang up his helmet and put Earnhardt in his car; hiring Rudd; Earnhardt's return to RCR and his and Childress' triumphs and eternal bond; Childress' vision for the future of RCR; and his regrets over the years.(RCR)(5-11-2013)

Budweiser Launches New Racing App featuring Harvick: Budweiser is giving consumers a whole new look at what it's like to hit speeds of 190 mph in the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS with the interactive BUD 360° app. The King of Beers' innovative new app utilizes surround video technology to provide users with a 360-degree look inside Kevin Harvick's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ride as the driver completes several laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway. While Harvick controls the wheel, the consumer controls the view, allowing them to experience the sensation of speed in never-before-seen angles. The resulting content is available for free in the Apple App Store for both iPhone and iPad users.(Budweiser Racing)(5-3-2013)

RCR receives Business Family of the Year Award from Wake Forest University: During a ceremony at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. on Thursday night, Richard Childress Racing received the Family Business of the Year Award, Large Business Category, from the school's Family Business Center. The award was based off the economic impact and contributions RCR has made in their community through the years. RCR was recognized for the race team's efforts, plus the Childress Winery, Sapona Ridge Country Club and Childress Institute of Pediatric Trauma. "It is an honor and privilege to accept this award on behalf of our entire Childress and Dillon family," said Judy Childress, wife of RCR's president and CEO Richard Childress. "Wake Forest University stands for leadership and progress for our future. Only in America can those dreams come true. Wake Forest is building our leaders for tomorrow, and generations to come through a four-year plan. We are doing the same thing at RCR, but we try to get it done in 500 laps." The ceremony was held at the Porter B. Byrum Welcome Center on the WFU campus.(RCR)(5-3-2013)

#4 for Harvick in 2014? Stewart-Haas Racing has applied for the trademark for the (4) Standard Character Mark or the #4. Supposedly to be used by Kevin Harvick when he moves over to Stewart-Hass Racing in 2014. You can see the trademark application / info at uspto.gov (do a search under Stewart-Haas). Other rumored numbers for Harvick at Stewart-Hass Racing: take the #29 with him from Richard Childress Racing with RCR using the #3 for Austin Dillon. Have heard some rumors the #8 could be in play.(4-30-2013)

Harvick wins at Richmond: #29-Kevin Harvick won the Toyota Owners 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway for his 1st win of 2013, 3rd win at Richmond and 20th career win. He easily took the lead after starting 7th on green white checker restart, behind several drivers on older tires. #15-Bowyer finished 2nd, followed by #22-Logano, #42-Montoya (who was leading the race until the final caution), #31-Burton, #99-Edwards, #20-Kenseth (who started from the pole and led the most laps on the night), #43-Almirola, #78-Busch, and #88-Earnhardt, Jr.
There were 10 lead changes among 7 drivers and 11 cautions for 75 yellow flag laps. The average speed was 92.141mph.
Starting this season, NASCAR doesn't release the track attendance.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Richmond Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Richmond Penalty Report (pdf)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf) and the owner points standings on the Owners Points Standings page (pdf).

Bell Helicopter sponsoring Harvick: Bell Helicopter will make its only scheduled appearance on the Richard Childress Racing #29 of Kevin Harvick Saturday night at Richmond. Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.(Richard Childress Racing), see an image of the car on the #29 team paint schemes page.(4-24-2013)

RCR Teams to Honor Memory of ECR Engines Co-Worker: Richard Childress Racing's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Camping World Truck Series teams will carry decals honoring the memory of an ECR Engines co-worker this week at Kansas Speedway. Joey Padgett, a valve train specialist at ECR Engines, passed away April 15 after suffering a heart attack. He was 57. Padgett had an extensive engine building career in NASCAR. He plied his craft with various companies including Ernie Elliott, Inc., Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, and Penske Racing before moving to ECR Engines in September 2012. He was also the owner/operator of Checkered Flag Fuels in Concord, N.C., where he was a lifelong resident. Memorials may be made to Cabarrus Pets Society, P.O. Box 5042, Concord, N.C. 28027. Online condolences may be left at wilkinsonfuneralhome.com. Wilkinson Funeral Home is serving the family.(RCR)(4-17-2013)

Bad Boy Buggies to sponsor Harvick at Kansas: #29-Kevin Harvick will carry the Bad Boy Buggies colors in the STP 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. Bad Boy Buggies is a leader in off-road utility vehicles for hunting and outdoor lifestyles. Bad Boy Buggies pioneered the category of electrically powered 4x4 vehicles, ideal for hunting and outdoor recreation due to their silent, odorless operation and environmentally friendly, emissions-free drivetrains. In 2010, the Bad Boy Buggies brand and product line were acquired by E-Z-GO, a business unit of Textron Inc.(RCR), see an image of the car on the #29 Team Schemes page.(4-17-2013)

RCR honors Warner Hodgon: Richard Childress Racing will honor former NASCAR track and team owner Warner Hodgon, who passed away March 20, with a memoriam decal [on thr RCR's Chevy's] at this weekend's NASCAR events at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. Hodgon was also president of Black Gold Oil Company, a RCR sponsor in the late-1970s when Richard Childress was both owner and driver of his #3 Chevy. "Warner was a great friend and partner who helped change the landscape of NASCAR team ownership in the late 1970s," said Childress. "I learned a lot about business from the advice he gave me over the years. He was there to help me with sponsorship from Black Gold when I really needed it. Warner was an entrepreneur with a great vision for where stock car racing could go and we stayed in touch long after his time in racing ended. He was a great friend and will be missed."(RCR)(3-22-2013)

Harvick to deliver tickets by Clydesdale: On Wednesday, Feb 20, #29-Kevin Harvick and wife DeLana will honor Ormond Beach, Fla., Marine veterans with a home delivery of Daytona 500 tickets via the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch. Jayson and Justin Ryter, 22-year-old twin brothers, both completed four years of active duty in the United States Marine Corps and recently returned home after being honorably discharged to pursue college degrees at Daytona State College. DIS fans can get a close look at the Budweiser Clydesdales, an enduring symbol of Anheuser-Busch's heritage, tradition and commitment to quality for nearly 80 years. The Budweiser Clydesdales will be stationed in the DIS midway for the remainder of Budweiser Speedweeks. In addition, the hitch, consisting of eight Clydesdales, the famous red, white and gold beer wagon, and two drivers seated next to the hitch's signature mascot Dalmation will take part in a pre-race parade lap prior to the Budweiser Duel on Thursday, Feb. 21 and the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 24.(RCR)(2-20-2013)

Austin Dillon hopes to wait for full Cup schedule to run #3: Austin Dillon has heard all the talk of him possibly racing Dale Earnhardt's famous #3 car in the Sprint Cup Series. And he's fine with that, although he would like it to be when he runs a full Cup season and not a partial schedule. There's pressure when running the stylized #3 made famous by the seven-time Cup champion, and Dillon doesn't want to wait a long time between races to feel he has to prove himself as worthy of the Richard Childress Racing number. Dillon has two career Cup starts [and plans to run the #33 at Daytona and the #51 at Las Vegas]. The #3 has not been used in Cup since Earnhardt's death in the 2001 Daytona 500. Childress said that 85% of fans want him to bring the #3 back to Cup, but he would only use it for a member of his family or the Earnhardt family. Childress has said he is heavily considering letting Dillon keep the #3 when he goes full-time Cup racing, which he hopes will be next year. Dillon has run the #3 for much of his racing career.(Sporting News)(2-9-2013)

Mark McArdle works for Furniture Row & RCR: Even before this season, Furniture Row Racing had a close relationship with Richard Childress Racing. Furniture Row gets its engines and chassis from RCR. The partnership was strengthened recently when Mark McArdle, managing director of competition at Furniture Row, took on a dual role as director of racing operations at RCR. With Furniture Row based in Denver, Colo., and RCR in Welcome, N.C.. The new opportunity for McArdle resulted from a standing offer by Furniture Row owner Barney Visser and general manager Joe Garone and hit critical mass when RCR hired Eric Warren as director of competition late in 2012. McArdle and Warren worked together at Evernham Motorsports. "Joe and Barney offered up my services to RCR if they could use me in any way to help that situation that they have there," McArdle told the NASCAR Wire Service. "Eric Warren and I had worked together for eight years at Evernham's. When he heard about that offer, he took us up on it and has asked me to operate as director of racing operations. The Cup teams, the Nationwide teams and the truck teams all report up through me. I report to Eric." With three Cup teams at RCR and one at Furniture Row, McArdle is spending more time in North Carolina as the organizations develop the Gen-6 car. "Right now, because of the intensity of the changeover process at RCR, we're doing kind of a two thirds/one third," McArdle said. "Two thirds of any given calendar month is being spent here in North Carolina, and about one third in Denver at this point. We hope that, as things become more stabilized and settled, that that will become more 50-50. Eventually the hope is to be able to train someone at RCR to step into that role."(NASCAR Wire Service)(1-24-2013)

Red Kap Joins RCR/ECR Engines: Richard Childress Racing has partnered with Red Kap, a division of VF Imagewear, Inc., as the official workwear outfitter for RCR and ECR Engines employees. Red Kap has been creating comfortable, durable workwear since starting out as a family business in 1923. Today they outfit 16 million Americans in a wide variety of industries.(RCR)(1-23-2013)

Harvick confirmed out of RCR after 2013: NASCAR team owner Richard Childress confirmed what driver Kevin Harvick would not since November 2012. Harvick will leave Childress, where he has been since his first Cup race in 2001, and drive for friend and team owner Tony Stewart at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014. Childress, who spoke Monday night at NASCAR's Sprint Cup Media Tour, talked about knowing about Harvick's plans last year before the race at Phoenix International Raceway -- a race Harvick would win to snap a 44-race winless streak. "We had a meeting and he told me his plans and we discussed what we were going to do in '13," Childress said Monday. "He'll do well over there at Stewart-Haas, and RCR will keep going and moving forward. I think him and Tony will have a good relationship." Stewart, who spoke to the media earlier Monday about his three-car team that includes Ryan Newman and Danica Patrick, has hinted at adding a fourth car to the Stewart-Haas Racing stable. Harvick, meanwhile, told reporters he didn't have "anything to tell you for 2014." On Monday, Childress said he did not know whether sponsor Budweiser would leave RCR along with Harvick. "They haven't made any comments on what they're going to do," Childress said. Though Childress admitted he knew Harvick's plans before Phoenix, he said he was surprised when word leaked out because he didn't expect it to be released until after the postseason awards banquet. As for the future, Childress welcomes grandson Austin Dillon into the fold this season. Dillon is slated to race the Daytona 500, among a handful of other Cup races. Burton and Menard are signed through 2013.(in part from the USA Today)(1-22-2013)

Richard Childress Notes from the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour: The media was late getting to Richard Childress Racing in Lexington NC due to an accident on I-85, some notes:
Richard Childress said #29-Kevin Harvick will do well at Stewart Haas Racing in 2014.
Harvick didn't deny reports he will move to SHR in 2014 or offer up plans for 2014. Harvick is only talking about 2013 and making it his best season but said iy has been a good run (at RCR) and sometimes you need a change of pace. Childress said he knew Harvick wasn't returning in 2014 when story broke in Phoenix but it wasn't supposed to be let out before banquet.
Richard Childress said he has no current plans to run the #3 in the Sprint Cup Series, at least for 2013. Childress said fan reaction has left him more open minded to using the #3 in the future.
Richard Childress says he hired his first engineer in 1989 and now has around 30.
Austin Dillon is named the spokesperson for COPD.(compiled from many Twitter feeds)(1-21-2013)

RCR Adds New Staff to Team Communications Programs: Richard Childress Racing has added two members to its communications staff. Andrea Cleveland has been named manager of communications in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for the #27 Menards Chevy team and driver Paul Menard. Jeff O'Keefe has assumed a similar position with RCR's NASCAR Nationwide Series program with the #2 Shore Lodge Chevy team and driver Brian Scott. Cleveland begins her new responsibilities immediately while O'Keefe joined RCR's communications staff in December 2012.(RCR)(1-21-2013)

Richard Childress Signs on as Ambassador for TAG Heuer Eyewear: Richard Childress Racing president and CEO Richard Childress has signed a multi-year agreement with TAG Heuer Eyewear, joining grandsons Austin Dillon and Ty Dillon as ambassadors for the France-based eyewear company. The RCR team owner can be seen at race tracks across the country wearing TAG Heuer's L-Type Lightweight Alligator model glasses exclusively, in both clear and sunglasses. The Dillons both became TAG Heuer spokesmen in 2012 as part of a multi-year deal designed to bring exposure to the TAG Heuer brand and aid in retailer development. The Dillon brothers will continue to display the TAG Heuer eyewear logo on the visor of the racing helmet each wears during NASCAR competition, as well as in other forms of motorsport.(RCR), TAG Heuer is scheduled to sponsor Austin Dillon at Las Vegas in the #51 Phoenix Racing Chevy.(1-21-2013)

2013 silly season notes for #29-Kevin Harvick / Richard Childress Racing Looks like a lame duck season for driver Kevin Harvick. Reports have Harvick leaving RCR after the 2013 season and driving for Stewart Haas Racing in 2014. Only Richard Childress has addressed the situation and he expects Harvick to finish out the 2013 season in the #29 Chevy. SHR and Harvick have not made any comments. Supposedly Harvick will take sponsors Budweiser, Jimmy John's and Rheem with him to SHR. No word if/when Harvick leaves RCR, if he will get to take the #29 to SHR or have a new car number in 2014. Gil Martin took over as crew chief in an interim role mid season and all indications are Martin will be the crew chief in 2013. Eric Warren came aboard for RCR late in the 2012 season. See images of the new look Budweiser scheme on my #29 Team Schemes page. See more about other teams on my 2013 Team / Driver Silly Season Chart.(1-17-2013)

Dodge and RCR? What's it going to take to get Dodge Motorsports interested in NASCAR again? How about an organization such as Richard Childress Racing? One of the reasons cited for Dodge's departure from NASCAR at the end of the 2012 season was the inability to secure an organization equal to Penske Racing's stature. Although Dodge representatives flirted with Furniture Row Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports and Andretti Racing, nothing materialized from the meetings. However, what if Dodge could secure an organization that boasts six Cup titles, three Nationwide Series championships and two Truck titles? "I haven't talk to anybody," team owner Richard Childress said on Friday. "No one has approached me yet." Still, the rumor persists.(FoxSports)(1-11-2013)

Papis helping train Dillon brothers: Max Papis, who gained fame in central Ohio when he raced for Bobby Rahal in CART, was hired to help Austin and Ty Dillon (grandsons of Richard Childress) last week at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course during a Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series test. "We work out together. I show them the strengths and weaknesses of what helped me to become who I am," Papis said of some of his duties. "We do a lot of analysis of how we talk, how we approach the business, the mental and physical aspect of the racing. When I show up to the races, 80% of the job is done. We are preparing ourselves really well before. I'm really proud to see the improvement both kids had. I got them at the beginning of the season, and they were really shy. I saw a lot of changes, and we are just in the beginning." Austin Dillon is on the fast track to stardom in the sport. The 22-year-old was third in the Nationwide standings this past season, picking up a pair of wins and three poles to go with 27 top 10s. A year ago he was the youngest champion in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history. Ty Dillon, his younger brother, was the ARCA champ in 2011 and the Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year this past season. Last week in Lexington, Papis was coaching up the elder Dillon, showing him the finer points of road racing, something Dillon lacks in his background in stock cars. "To be able to get his opinion on it and use him as a teammate, it will be great," Dillon said of the tutoring sessions in the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro. "It will be just like having a Cup driver here talking to him before the race." After bouncing around sports car series and NASCAR since his departure from CART, Papis acknowledges his new role in the sport is unique. "In a sport so tough like this, some people may laugh at you, but at the end of the day, I think it's jealousy more than anything else," Papis said. "I'm sure 90 percent of the guys out there would love to have a shoulder to lean on."(in part from the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum)(12-31-2012)

Harvick presents car to winner of "Win Happy's Chevy": Christmas came early for one lucky winner when Kevin Harvick handed over the keys to a brand-new 2012 Chevy Camaro 2SS convertible as part of "Win Happy's Chevy," proceeds from which benefit the Kevin Harvick Foundation. Michael Gatz, from Elkhorn, Wis., won the Camaro valued at $48,280, and drove it home from the Kevin Harvick Foundation's North Carolina headquarters. Gatz had purchased the winning ticket in the second-annual raffle for which nearly 2,500 tickets were sold at $29 each. Proceeds from "Win Happy's Chevy" will be used to further the initiatives of the Kevin Harvick Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the lives of children across the country through programs such as Kevin's Krew, Chase Your Dreams Scholarships and the Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship Fund, among others.(Kevin Harvick Foundation)(12-24-2012)

Harvick still not confirming move to Stewart-Haas:Kevin Harvick won't confirm that he will drive for Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014, but he did confirm last week in Las Vegas that he is preparing for his departure from Richard Childress Racing after next season. Harvick said he already has talked to Matt Kenseth about how to handle such a situation  Harvick is expected to run his final season for RCR next year, and all signs point to him driving for Tony Stewart beginning in 2014. Harvick has not denied reports that he will move to Stewart's team starting in 2014, and team owner Richard Childress has already acknowledged that Harvick will be moving on. "You look at a lot of situations that are around you that you can kind of take advice from people and things and just try to do the best that you can," Harvick said at the Sprint Cup Awards banquet in Las Vegas last week. Everybody wants to know what's going on or what's going to happen or how it is going to work and we want to tell everybody, & but we're just not in a position.(Sporting News)(12-3-2012)

Childress comments on Harvick leaving after 2013: Team owner Richard Childress said next year in the Sprint Cup Series won't be easy with driver #29-Kevin Harvick moving to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014. "Oh, yeah,'' Childress said on Thursday during the unveiling of the 2013 Chevrolet SS that will replace the Impala in the Sprint Cup Series. "People are not going to be buying a lot of 29 souvenirs for sure. It'll make a difficult year. It's there. We've got to live with it and move forward. Again, the timing wasn't great on the leak. But we're going to go race.'' ESPN's Marty Smith, citing sources, wrote three weeks ago that Harvick would leave RCR for SHR after his current contract expires in 2013. Neither Childress nor Harvick had publicly admitted the move will occur until Childress did on Thursday. Childress did not confirm whether sponsors Budweiser and Jimmy Johns would follow Harvick to SHR, but said he was good for sponsorship on the #29 beyond next season.(ESPN)(11-30-2012)

Budweiser and Jimmy Johns to follow Harvick to SHR? When #29-Kevin Harvick leaves Richard Childress Racing at the end of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, he will take major sponsors Budweiser and Jimmy Johns along with him. Reports surfaced last week that Harvick will bolt RCR at the conclusion of his current contract to race full-time for Stewart Haas Racing in 2014. Multiple sources speaking on the condition of anonymity say that when the move comes, it will also include the sponsors that backed the #29 team in a combined 26 races this season; 20 for Budweiser and six for Jimmy John's.(Godfather Motorsports)(11-16-2012)

Harvick wins at Phoenix: #29-Kevin Harvick won the AdvoCare 500(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway for his 1st win of year, 1st win in 44 races and 19th career win.
#11-Hamlin finished 2nd followed by #18-Busch, #5-Kahne, #39-Newman, #2-Keselowski, #16-Biffle, #78-Busch, #27-Menard and #55-Martin (this order could change since there a big wreck at the end of the race).
The race was pretty mellow until #48-Johnson, the points leader going into the Phoenix race, melted a tire bead from excessive brake heat and lost a front right tire and smacked the turn 4 wall hard on lap 234. Johnson ended up finishing 32nd and lost the points lead to #2-Keselowski, who now has a 20 point lead over Johnson going into the final race at Homestead and if Keselowski finishes 15th or better, there is nothing Johnson can do to overtake him.
With a few laps to go, #24-Gordon was limping around with a tire going down. Gordon was black flagged by NASCAR to bring the car into the pits, but Gordon waited for #15-Bowyer, who had made contact a few laps earlier to cause the tire cut on the #24. Gordon spun out Bowyer, also collecting #20-Logano and #43-Almirola. #2-Keselowski went by the mess on the bottom of the track. When Gordon got out of his car, some of the crewmen from the #15 and #24 teams got in to a short brawl. THEN Bowyer got out of his car and ran to the #24 hauler to confront Gordon and the team. Calm was restored and both drivers and crew chiefs were called to the NASCAR hauler. There was an almost 15 minute red flag to clean up the track for the green-white-checkered finish.
#29-Harvick was the leader at that point and his car owner, Richard Childress, protested to NASCAR that Harvick had taken the white flag before the yellow came out for the caution. But replays/video showed that the yellow was out before the Harvick took the white flag at the start/finish line.
SO...on the green-white-checked run, Harvick came off turn 4 heading to the white flag when #10-Patrick spun around, NASCAR did not throw the yellow flag and let the cars race the final lap. Patrick was able to get the car to the bottom of the front stretch and was limping the car back, but fluid was on the track, both Harvick and the 2nd place car, #11-Hamlin slid a bit coming off turn 4, but recovered and Harvick won the race. A bunch of cars in the top 10 were not so lucky and spun in the fluid with #39-Newman, #78-Busch, #27-Menard and #55-Martin all getting collected in the mess. #2-Keselowski, was hit and had some damage to the side of the car, but was able to drive thru it and finish 6th.
#18-Busch, the pole sitter, led the most laps but for the 8th time in a row when leading the most laps, failed to win the race.
There were 8 cautions for 38 yellow flag laps, there was a 14 minute, 58 second red flag late in the race. There were 11 lead changes among 7 drivers. The average speed was 111.182mph.
The estimated attendence was 87,000, up from 85,000 last November.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Phoenix Race Results page (pdf) and the official race and points rundown on the Official Phoenix Race & Points Report.(11-11/12-2012)

Childress not talking about Harvick leaving: Richard Childress was visibly upset as he stood next to grandson Ty Dillon's black truck during Friday's qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway. It had nothing to do with Dillon's chances to win the Camping World Truck Series championship, trailing James Buescher by 15 points with two races remaining. It had everything to do with an ESPN.com report that Sprint Cup driver #29-Kevin Harvick has signed a multi-year deal to begin driving for Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014. "I've got a contract for 2013 and this is 2012," the owner of Richard Childress Racing said of his deal with Harvick. "I'm not talking to you about nothing [regarding that]. Too far out." Asked if Harvick had told him he will not drive for RCR beyond 2013, Childress barked, "You need to go talk to them people. Don't talk to me about it. If you want to talk to me about [the truck] championship, I'll talk about it. But don't talk to me about anything else." Harvick's departure will be huge, particularly if he takes primary sponsor Budweiser with him. Remember, RCR lost Chaser Clint Bowyer to Michael Waltrip Racing after last season due to lack of sponsorship and had to shrink from four to three teams. Some will say Harvick leaving only opens the door for Childress' other grandson, Nationwide Series driver Austin Dillon, to move to Cup in 2014. But plans already were in place for Dillon to make the move then, either in the fourth car that is vacant or as a replacement for Jeff Burton, whose contract expires after 2013. And by the way, while Dillon will make his Daytona 500 debut in the #33 next year, Childress left open the possibility the #3 Earnhardt drove remains a strong possibility for his grandson. "That's still on the table," Childress said. Sources close to the situation told me Childress was blindsided by the news, which explains his mood. Replacing Harvick has to now be his No. 1 goal in order to remain relevant in the series.(in part from ESPN)(11-10-2012)

Stewart comments on Harvick rumor: #14-Tony Stewart, met with members of the media at Phoenix International Raceway and discussed future plans for SHR, the transcript in part:
Q) DO YOU HAVE A RESPONSE TO THE STORY THAT KEVIN HARVICK WILL JOIN STEWART-HAAS RACING IN 2014?
Tony Stewart: "Well, it's actually Dale, Jr. (SMILES BROADLY). And Marty Smith (ESPN Television personality and website reporter) is actually going to be in the fourth car. Yes, that's where we are at. (SMILES BROADLY) I will tell you this, when we have something to tell you guys, we'll tell you. I've always said that. You guys can throw darts, but when we have something to tell you that's different than what we've got going on, we'll obviously tell you."(Team Chevy)(11-9-2012)

Harvick to leave RCR after 2013 and head to SHR: For each of his 12 seasons in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Kevin Harvick has driven for Richard Childress Racing. That will change in 2014. Multiple NASCAR industry sources confirmed to ESPN.com Friday that Harvick has signed a multiyear agreement to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing beginning with the 2014 season. Harvick will remain at RCR in the #29 Chevy for the 2013 campaign, sources said. "I'm looking forward to finishing out this season on a strong note with RCR and continuing to build our program going into the 2013 season with the ultimate goal of winning a championship," Harvick told ESPN.com Friday at Phoenix International Raceway, when he was asked about his future. "Anything beyond that, once I know what my future plans are set, I'll let you know." Under Stewart-Haas' current plan, sources said, Harvick will drive a fourth SHR Chevrolet, teaming with #14-Tony Stewart, #39-Ryan Newman and #10-Danica Patrick to form a four-car stable. "Stewart-Haas Racing's driver lineup is all set for 2013, but if you're talking about 2014 and if Kevin Harvick is available, that's something the team would have to look at," SHR team spokesman Mike Arning said. "Any team in this garage would do the same. From the moment Stewart-Haas Racing was formed, becoming a four-car team is something it's been striving for. They have the infrastructure to accommodate a fourth team, and if everything aligns properly, it's something they'll do. So, if a driver the caliber of Kevin Harvick is available, it's something they would pursue."(ESPN)(11-9-2012)

RCR hires Warren as Competition Director: Richard Childress Racing has hired Dr. Eric Warren as its new director of competition in hopes of righting the ship. Warren replaces Kent Day, who served in an interim role after Scott Miller left the company last September for Michael Waltrip Racing. Miller's loss has been felt dramatically at RCR, particularly at the Sprint Cup level. Warren, 43, has a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. The Mt. Airy, N.C.-native has been involved in the motorsports industry since 1997. Warren worked as the chief aerodynamicist at Penske-Kranefuss Racing. In 2002, he became the technical director at Evernham Motorsports and advanced to vice president of the organization, then accepted a similar role at MWR. After a short-lived attempt with the U.S. Formula 1 effort, Warren joined Richard Petty Motorsports in 2010 as technical director, overseeing all engineering.(Fox Sports)(10-16-2012)

RCR Minority Partner Considering Selling Equity Position: Richard Childress Racing has advised its employees, drivers and key sponsors that Chartwell Investments is considering exiting its minority equity position in RCR. "Since 2003, I have had a minority partner at RCR in Chartwell Investments," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "Like any private equity business, Chartwell has a duty to its investors to return capital and maximize profits in a reasonable timeframe. With my support, they have determined that now is an appropriate time to exit their investment in RCR. Chartwell has been a great partner and I will always be appreciative of our partnership. We will remain good friends. We have informed the key people and sponsors of RCR about Chartwell's decision and assured them this will have no impact on the current affairs at RCR or our continued vision for strong performance on and off the track. We have advised them that if a new investor comes on board as RCR's new partner they will be strategically chosen to help RCR continue to grow. Our family of corporate partners has all been very appreciative of our letting them know and remain committed to moving forward. I love what I do and plan to be involved in NASCAR and in running RCR for many years to come."
"RCR is one of the elite NASCAR organizations and we are honored to be a part of the RCR family and partners with racing icon Richard Childress for close to ten years," said Michael Shein, Managing Partner of Chartwell Investments. "During this period, RCR has continued to prosper, more than doubling the size of its business. We are equally optimistic about RCR's future performance both on and off the track, remaining confident in NASCAR's long-term potential. We have engaged The Raine Group to explore the potential sale of our interest in RCR in order to monetize our investment." The Raine Group is a global merchant bank focused exclusively on the digital, media & entertainment and sports & lifestyle sectors.(RCR)(7-16-2012)

It's a boy for Kevin and Delana Harvick: Kevin and DeLana Harvick welcomed son Keelan Paul Harvick (pronounced Keylan) Sunday, July 8th, 2012. Keelan weighed in at 6.8 lbs. and 19.5 inches. Throughout the pregnancy, the Harvicks had jokingly referred to their son as "Baby Otis" on Twitter and in public. "Waiting on Keelan was the longest nine months of my entire life," Kevin Harvick said. "But time literally stood still when I held our baby for the first time. I've accomplished a lot in my life that I'm proud of, but those moments don't hold a candle to becoming a father and seeing that little face looking up at you. DeLana and I are just amazed by how special and rewarding this is." Mother and baby are doing well.(Harvick PR)(7-8-2012)

Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma Featured on Betty Crocker Packaging at all Kroger Stores: The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma will be featured on six Betty Crocker packages at all Kroger stores around the United States as part of the "Bake for a Better Tomorrow" campaign. Packaging will be in stores beginning June 19. The special-edition packaging features NASCAR owner Richard Childress and his wife Judy Childress, co-founders of the Childress Institute, as well as Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 Wheaties Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. "Betty Crocker is all about family and great recipes and is proud to support the Childress Institute," said Kelly Kaiser with General Mills. "We are donating $15,000 to the Childress Institute to support this cause very near and dear to our friend Richard Childress' heart."
"The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma is grateful to General Mills and their Betty Crocker brand for helping us raise awareness about the No. 1 killer of children in America," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing and co-founder of the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. "More than 12,000 kids die every year from serious injuries, which is more than all other causes combined. No matter the age of the child, or the cause of injury, The Childress Institute wants to help all children have a better tomorrow by promoting a model level of care from the point of injury through treatment and recovery."
The Childress Institute is thanking fans for their support by launching the Race Weekend Sweepstakes. The winner will receive a weekend travel package for two to the Cup race on October 7, 2012, including plane tickets, garage passes, tickets in the stands, and hotel accommodations. The approximate retail value of the Grand Prize is $3,000. To enter, visit the Childress Institute on Twitter @injuredkids, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChildressPediatricTrauma, or online at www.ChildressPediatricTrauma.org. The sweepstakes will run from June 19 through July 31, 2012, and the winner will be selected and notified by August 7, 2012.
"General Mills is an outstanding partner in racing and they are just as passionate about improving the lives of children," said Burton. "My wife Kim and I are proud to support the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma through the 'Bake for a Better Tomorrow' campaign."
In addition to learning more about the Childress Institute, consumers can enter for a chance to win a $500 Kroger Gift Card and also download recipes at bakeforabettertomorrow.com. Visit www.kroger.com to locate a Kroger store to purchase Betty Crocker products in support of the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. For more information about Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, please visit www.ChildressPediatricTrauma.org.(6-22-2012)

Dale Jr. has no problem with the #3 being used: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., recently met with members of the media at Homestead-Miami Speedway and discussed a few topics, including Austin Dillon in the #3 and the history of the number, from the transcript in part:
Q) RICHARD CHILDRESS TELLS US THAT HE ASKED YOU AND (SISTER) KELLEY IF IT WOULD BE ALL RIGHT IF HIS GRANDSON RAN THE #3 IN THE NATIONWIDE SERIES NEXT YEAR. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF IN THREE OR FOUR YEARS HE SAID HE WANTED TO MOVE AUSTIN DILLON UP TO SPRINT CUP RACING AND HE'D LIKE TO TAKE THAT #3. WOULD YOU BE COOL WITH THAT?
Earnhardt Jr. "Yeah, I would. Austin has ran that number and I'm not real sure; I just look at it differently. I don't look at the numbers tied to drivers as much as just the history of the number. The number is more of a bank, you know, that you just deposit history into. It doesn't really belong to any individual. Austin's ran that number and you can't really deny him the opportunity to continue to run it. It just wouldn't be fair. Dad (Dale Earnhardt Sr.) did great things. He was a great ambassador for the sport and we're still as a whole, reaping the benefits of all he accomplished and what he did that put us in front of a lot of people. But even before that, the number was Richard's. Richard drove it. And someone else drove it before then. There's a lot of guys in the fifties and sixties that ran that number with success. So the number is really kind of like a bank and you deposit history into and they don't really belong to the individuals. It's iconic when you put the colors and the style with it; it's a little bit iconic to the sport. Austin is a good kid, He seems to have a great appreciation for what's happening to him and what's going on around him. And I would be happy if he wanted to keep doing that. He kind of had to know when he first started to run that number if he got this far into the deal, he would have to cross a few bridges like that and that was a tough decision I guess at first to start running the number for him; knowing what kind of pressures he might face down the road. But I think it would be fine by me for him to do that. I think that it's got to get back on the race track one of these days. It just can't be gone forever you know?"(Team Chevy)(11-20-2011)

#3 Back..as showcars..ONLY: Richard Childress announced a program on Wednesday that will resurrect the #3  at least as a show car  to celebrate RCR's 20th anniversary with General Motors. But Childress added that RCR won't be running the #3 any time soon, even though Dale Earnhardt still sell the third-most souvenirs in the garage.(FoxSports)(2-17-2005)