2013 Races [22] that Caterpillar is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Daytona 500, 2/24
Las Vegas, 3/10
Auto Club, 3/24
Texas, 4/13, (special scheme)
Talladega, 5/5
Charlotte, Showdown (special scheme), 5/18
Michigan, 6/16
Kentucky, 6/29
New Hampshire, 7/14
Indianapolis, 7/28
Watkins Glen, 8/11
Bristol, 8/24
Atlanta, 9/1
Richmond, 9/7
Chicago, 9/16
Dover, 9/29
Kansas. 10/6
Charlotte, 10/12
Talladega, 10/20
Texas, 11/3
Phoenix. 11/10
Homestead, 11/17

2013 Races [6] that Cheerios is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Phoenix, 3/3
Bristol, 3/17
Charlotte, 5/26
Dover, 6/2
Michigan, 8/18
New Hampshire, 9/23

2013 Race [1] that Kwikset is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Daytona, 7/6

2013 Race [1] that American Ethanol has been the primary sponsor:
Kansas, 4/21

2013 Race [1] that Airgas/Bulwark has been the primary sponsor:
Richmond, 4/27

2013 Race [1] that Utility Trailer Manufacturing is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Sonoma, 6/23

2013 Races [5] that no sponsor is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Martinsville, 4/7, Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma featured
Darlington, 5/11
Pocono, 6/9
Pocono, 8/4
Martinsville, 10/27

Contract Status: Sponsors: 2014+; Driver: 2013?

Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company sponsoring Burton: Jeff Burton will drive the #31 Utility Trailer Manufacturing Chevy this weekend at Sonoma Raceway. Utility Trailer Manufacturing is America's oldest privately owned, family-operated trailer manufacturer. Founded in 1914, the company designs and manufactures dry freight vans, flatbeds, refrigerated vans, Tautliner curtainsided trailers and side skirts. Utility currently operates five trailer manufacturing facilities across the United States(Richard Childress Racing)(3-19-2013)

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)

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)

Airgas/Bulwark on the #31 at Richmond: Jeff Burton will have new sponsors on his #31 Chevy when the Sprint Cup Series hits Richmond this weekend. Bulwark is the North American market leader in durable flame resistant protective garments. Born in the Canadian oilfields 42 years ago, and the choice of industry professionals ever since. They offer the widest assortment of flame resistant shirts, pants, jeans, coveralls and outerwear in the industry. Airgas, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is one of the nation's leading suppliers of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and related products. Airgas is a leading U.S. producer of atmospheric gases with 16 air separation plants, a leading producer of carbon dioxide, dry ice, and nitrous oxide, one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products, and a leading U.S. supplier of refrigerants, ammonia products, and process chemicals.(Richard Childress Racing), see an image of the car on the #31 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)

American Ethanol colors at Kansas for Burton: Jeff Burton's #31 RCR Chevy team will sport the black and green colors of American Ethanol this weekend at Kansas Speedway. American Ethanol, a renewable source of cleaner burning energy from the bounty of America's farmers, helps create new green jobs and a renewed sense of pride for the American worker, while helping to achieve greater energy security for our country.(RCR), Austin Dillon is also scheduled to carry American Ethanol colors at Michigan in June on the #33 Chevy.(4-17-2013)

Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma on the #31: Richard Childress Racing will feature the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma on the #31 Chevy driven by Jeff Burton at Martinsville Speedway this weekend. "We take for granted that the best emergency care for our children is always available, but that is not the case. Critically-injured patients treated in a certified trauma center have a 25% increased rate of survival," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing and co-founder of the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. "We wanted to spotlight the need for awareness by running a paint scheme featuring the Institute this weekend." Nearly 10,000 children die each year due to life-threatening injuries - more than all other causes combined. The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma invests resources in research, medical education and awareness to improve the treatment for critically injured children across the United States.(RCR), see an image of the car on the #31 team paint schemes page.(4-5-2013)

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)

Burton's crew chief still waiting on baby: #31-Jeff Burton is hoping his crew chief's soon-to-arrive baby can wait one more week. Luke Lambert's wife, Jamie, is expecting their second child back home in Charlotte. Lambert flew home from Phoenix last Saturday with RCR's Nationwide car in anticipation of the birth, but it didn't happen. Jamie is on bed rest, and the Lamberts are hoping the baby will wait until after the race. If the baby has other ideas, Nationwide crew chief Ernie Cope will fill in for the second straight week while Lambert leaves Las Vegas. "If something starts, we're going to support Luke being at home," Burton said. "He should be home with his wife. If anybody questions that, I don't give a damn. Yeah, racing is important, but being a father is more important."(Associated Press)(3-8-2013)

Kwikset to sponsor Burton: Kwikset announced a partnership agreement with Richard Childress Racing and driver Jeff Burton. Kwikset will have its logo on the #31 Chevy for every race this season, and will also be the primary paint scheme for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 6. Throughout the 2013 season, Kwikset will be announcing opportunities to engage fans and customers in unique ways. Kwikset will activate this partnership with a VIP infield hospitality presence at five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends beginning with Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10. There will also be significant activation at Dover International Speedway on June 2, Chicagoland Speedway on September 15, Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 12 and Texas Motor Speedway on November 3.
"Richard Childress Racing's focus on elite innovation strategies falls right in line with Kwikset's brand promise to deliver smart, innovative security options to our customers," said Greg Gluchowski, president, Hardware & Home Improvement Group at Spectrum Brands. "We are proud to align ourselves with excellence for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season."
The company sees value in working with NASCAR teams, which it has done in the past, and spreading the message of safety and innovation for families to race fans nationwide. Having a presence at the track provides an opportunity to fuel the passions of Kwikset consumers, employees and NASCAR fans. "Safety and innovation are very important to Kwikset's business, and as a driver, two areas that I'm very passionate about myself," said Burton. "I am proud to have Kwikset as a partner this season."(RCR), see an image of the scheme on my #31 Team Schemes page.(3-5-2013)

Burton crew chief skipping Phoenix: Luke Lambert, crew chief for Jeff Burton's #31 Cheerios RCR Chevy will be at home today with his wife, who is expecting a baby. Ernie Cope will call the race. Matt McCall and team engineers will make chassis changes.(Jeff Burton RCR Twitter)(3-3-2013)

Cheerios returns to the #31: The iconic General Mills brand Cheerios returns to the track this weekend as the primary sponsor on Burton's #31 Chevy. America's No.1 cereal franchise will bring its fan-favorite yellow and black paint scheme to these additional races in 2013: Bristol (March 17), Charlotte (May 26), Dover (June 2), Michigan (August 18) and New Hampshire (September 22). General Mills has roots as a NASCAR sponsor for more than 15 years and began its partnership with RCR in 2008 with Cheerios brand as the primary sponsor of the #33 Sprint Cup Series team. The program moved to the #31 team as a co-primary sponsor [Wheaties] for the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season (RCR), see images of the scheme/car on the #31 Team Schemes page.(3-2-2013)

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)

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 #31-Jeff Burton / Richard Childress Racing: Burton starts the season with a new crew chief, Luke Lambert, who was his crew chief for part of 2011, returns to the #31. Burtons past crew chiefs: Scott Miller (Nov 2005-Oct 2009), Todd Berrier (Oct 2009-July 2011), Luke Lambert (July-Dec 2011), Drew Blickensderfer (most of 2012) and Shane WIlson (final 3 races in 2012), Caterpillar returns as the primary sponsor for 20-22 races. General Mills scraps the Wheaties colors for Cheerios in 2013, for 6 races. All indications are that BB&T Bank, a primary sponsor for 6 races in 2012, will not return in 2013. No word if EnerSys/ODYSSEY Batteries returns as a sponsor for a couple of races or if Rain-X will return as a sponsor for a race. RCR brought in Eric Warren as the competition director. Speculation was that Burton is signed thru 2013, but recently Burton said he has a long-term contract and that 2013 is not the last year of his contract.
See images of the Caterpillar and Cheerios schemes on my #31 Team Schemes page. See more about other teams on my 2013 Team / Driver Silly Season Chart.(1-19-2013)

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)

Several drivers getting new spotters: Wondering whose voices will be directing your favorite drivers when the Sprint Cup Series tests at Daytona International Speedway next week? There are changes a-plenty coming to the NASCAR Sprint Cup spotter's stand this season. Here are a few to listen for:
Brandon Benesch, who was Danica Patrick's car chief at JR Motorsports during her Nationwide Series stint in the #7 GoDaddy Chevy, will be her eyes in the sky starting on Thursday. Benesch also spotted for Robby Gordon.
Veteran spotter Keith Barnwell started coordinating the schedule for Team Dillon (Austin and Ty) in December. But on the weekends, Barnwell will spot for #31-Jeff Burton. For the last two years, Barnwell spotted for Martin Truex Jr.
Mike Herman Jr., a former racer/driving coach, will take the reins for Barnwell on the #56 Toyota for Truex at Michael Waltrip Racing. Herman, 38, competed in both Pro Cup and the Southern Modified Tour.
Derek Kneeland is getting his big break spotting for #42-Juan Pablo Montoya this year. Kneeland spots for Brian Scott in the Nationwide Series and worked part-time guiding Frank Stoddard's #32 Ford last year.(Fox Sports)(1-6-2013)

Burton and Childress to unveil 2013 scheme UPDATE: Jeff Burton and team owner Richard Childress will unveil the 2013 #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS on Wednesday, December 5 at the new Caterpillar Visitors Center located behind Caterpillar world headquarters in downtown Peoria, Ill. "Caterpillar has invited Richard (Childress) and I to tour their new world-class Visitors Center and we are encouraging NASCAR fans to come visit too," said Jeff Burton. "We are bringing the #31 hauler for fans to tour and unveiling the new 2013 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS that I will be driving next season. I think fans are really going to like the look of the new car." Burton and Childress will take part in an autograph session 5 to 7 p.m. Central Time and everyone attending the event will receive a 2013 Sprint Cup Series schedule poster. The Richard Childress Racing #31 team hauler will be on display for fans to tour throughout the day beginning at 10 am.(more info at RCR)(11-21-2012)
UPDATE: At the 2012 PRI Trade show we finally got to see what the Chevrolet's 2013 Cup car was going to look like! Thursday morning the folks in the Automotive Racing Products booth teamed with Richard Childress Racing to unveil Jeff Burton's 2013 Caterpillar sponsored Chevrolet Sprint Cup car.(One Dirt), see images of the car on the #31 Team Schemes page.(12-2-2012)

Burton Has Successful Minor Wrist Surgery: Richard Childress Racing driver #31-Jeff Burton had successful, minor wrist surgery Tuesday afternoon to alleviate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. "After feeling some reoccurring symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, my physician and I decided routine surgery would be best for this situation," said Burton, who was back at home soon after the outpatient procedure. "There is no such thing as an offseason in this sport so I wanted to get it done as soon as possible to be ready for my Caterpillar Visitors Center appearance with Richard (Childress) early next month. Plus, we have many test sessions planned in December with the #31 Chevy team in preparation for the 2013 season with my new crew chief Luke Lambert. I will be ready to go."(RCR)(11-21-2012)

RCR makes promotes Rick Penn: Richard Childress Racing has promoted Rick Penn to the newly created position of Vice President, Business Development. Penn joined RCR in 2009 as Director of Business Development and was promoted to Managing Director of Business Development in 2010. He has overseen the growth of the business development department, from one to four people. His responsibilities include developing long-term partnerships for all of RCR's teams and growing new revenue channels. Penn has been instrumental in establishing new partnerships with Budweiser, Growth Energy, AdvoCare, WESCO and Husky Liners. "Rick has done an outstanding job for RCR since he joined us in 2009," said Ben Schlosser, chief marketing officer for Richard Childress Racing. "He has assembled a terrific team for our business development efforts, implemented solid strategies to attract new partners to RCR and has helped drive B2B activities for many of our current partners. Rick has been instrumental in forging new relationships with companies like AdvoCare, Growth Energy, WESCO, Husky Liners and a few others which we have not yet announced."(RCR)(11-8-2012)

Cheerios sponsoring Burton for 6 races in 2013: General Mills' iconic Cheerios brand will be returning to the track in 2013 in partnership with Richard Childress Racing as the primary sponsor for six races and as a major associate sponsor for the rest of the season with the #31 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team and driver Jeff Burton. America's No.1 cereal franchise will bring its fan-favorite yellow and black paint scheme to the following races in 2013: Phoenix International Raceway (March 3), Bristol Motor Speedway (March 17), Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 26), Dover International Speedway (June 2), Michigan International Speedway (August 18) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway (September 22). General Mills, with roots as a NASCAR sponsor for more than 15 years, began its partnership with RCR in 2008 with Cheerios brand as primary sponsor of the #33 Sprint Cup Series team. The program moved to the #31 team as a co-primary sponsor for the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season.(RCR)(10-31-2012)

Burton, Ambrose crew chief changes: UPDATES: Silly Season is in full swing for Sprint Cup crew chiefs. Drew Blickensderfer resigned as Jeff Burton's crew chief on Sunday. Blickensderfer, 36, will return to the Ford camp as the crew chief for Marcos Ambrose and the #9 team at Richard Petty Motorsports. Given Blickensderfer's nine-year tenure at Roush Fenway Racing, he will be a valuable conduit for RPM with its technical partner. "Blick" replaces Mike Ford, who joined RPM at Talladega Superspeedway in May as Aric Almirola's crew chief. Before the Chase for the Sprint Cup began, Ford, 42, swapped teams with veteran crew chief Todd Parrott and began leading the #9 crew with Ambrose. Ford said on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway that he worked this season sans contract with RPM but had "options" for 2013 including working with BK Racing. Sources confirmed that Ford has been offered a crew chief's post at BKR. Luke Lambert will revive his role with Burton and the #31 Caterpillar crew at Richard Childress Racing starting in 2013. Shane Wilson will be interim crew chief for the final three races of the season.(Fox Sports)(10-29-2012)
UPDATE: Championship-winning Richard Childress Racing crew chief Shane Wilson will replace Drew Blickensderfer at the helm of the #31 Caterpillar Chevy team with driver Jeff Burton for the final three races of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. "I want to thank Drew for all of his effort with the No. 31 Caterpillar team this season," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "He's a great crew chief and I can't say enough about his dedication to RCR. Making the move now, before the season is over, gives Drew some additional time to pursue other opportunities. Luke Lambert, who currently calls the shots for RCR's NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship point standings leading #2 team with Elliott Sadler, will take over the #31 team crew chief duties for the 2013 season. Lambert served as interim crew chief for the #31 team in 2011.(RCR)(10-29-2012)
UPDATE 2: Richard Petty Motorsports announced Drew Blickensderfer has been assigned as the crew chief of the #9 team and driver Marcos Ambrose. The Mount Zion, Ill., native comes to Richard Petty Motorsports most recently from Richard Childress Racing where he was the crew chief for Jeff Burton. Prior to his time there, Blickensderfer spent the majority of his career with teams associated with Ford Racing and Roush-Fenway Racing. Blickensderfer replaces Mike Ford who is no longer with the organization.(RPM)(10-30-2012)

Burton says 2013 is "make or break": The 2013 season will be the 20th of Jeff Burton's Sprint Cup career, but next year won't be significant because of a milestone anniversary in NASCAR's premier series. "It's very make or break," Burton said. "It feels really important. It's on my mind already. It's been on my mind for a while. We've got to right this ship. We've got to do it now. This has gone on for two years. It goes on for three, that is too long." The veteran, who hasn't won in 145 starts and more than four years, is mired in his worst slump at Richard Childress Racing. His #31 Chevy is 19th in the Sprint Cup standings with four races remaining after ranking 20th in 2011. That puts Burton on pace for his worst back-to-back seasons since entering Cup with finishes of 24th and 32nd in points in 1994-95. "I certainly have less years ahead of me than behind me," Burton, 45, said. "So every year you don't have success feels like a big loss. How many more chances are we going to have?"(USA Today)(10-25-2012)

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)

Burton says he wasn't concerned about his job at RCR: As Jeff Burton struggled in the #31 car the last two seasons, even Burton himself couldn't avoid hearing the rumors that he might be replaced. His car owner, Richard Childress, when pressed on the issue by the media, would merely say that Burton had a contract for 2013, almost leaving the door open that, well, contracts are made to be broken. The obvious candidate to replace Burton was Kurt Busch, whom Childress talked about how much he'd like to have if a sponsor would step up for him. But Busch signed Monday with RCR affiliate Furniture Row Racing, and that should make Burton breathe easier about 2013. But it won't - because Burton wasn't wasting time thinking it would happen. "I never worried about being replaced," Burton said Tuesday during a Charlotte Motor Speedway media day at the RCR shop. "I never woke up in the morning saying, 'Damn, I might not drive the 31 car next year.' Because I knew all those things weren't true. The fact that I was in the conversation bothered me."(Sporting News)(9-26-2012)

EnerSys/ODYSSEY Batteries on the #31 at Pocono & Martinsville: EnerSys, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, along with their ODYSSEY Battery brand, will be primary sponsor of the Richard Childress Racing #31 Chevy and Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Burton this weekend at Pocono Raceway and October 28 at Martinsville Speedway. ODYSSEY Battery, a RCR partner since 2009, delivers the extreme power that racing enthusiasts demand and EnerSys guarantees longer service life to save time and money. The five-second cranking power of ODYSSEY batteries is double to triple that of conventional batteries. In addition, the ODYSSEY battery's sealed drycell construction makes it safe, explosion proof, leak proof and it can be mounted in any position. Its rugged construction also offers improved vibration resistance and durability.(Richard Childress Racing), see an image of the car on the #31 team paint schemes page.(7-31-2012)

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)

Childress may buy Bowman Gray Stadium: Winston-Salem State University's effort to buy Bowman Gray Stadium from the city was snuffed out Thursday when state lawmakers killed the university's request for permission to borrow $7.5 million to buy the stadium. The legislative move  sponsored by Sen. Don East, R-Surry, and pushed by Winston-Salem entrepreneur Harold Day  opens the door wider to another potential bidder: Richard Childress, the NASCAR icon from Winston-Salem who sold peanuts as a child at Bowman Gray and started his racing career there in the 1950s. Bill Patterson, an executive vice president at Richard Childress Racing, met with Martha Wheelock, an assistant city manager, recently to talk about costs related to the stadium, he said. Bowman Gray has sentimental value for Childress. It's a landmark stock-car racing stadium and more could be done with it, Patterson said, though he declined to provide further information about what else could be done. "We do have an interest in it," he said.(full story at the Winston Salem Journal)(6-15-2012)

RCR Partners with K&N Engineering for ECR Engines Program: Richard Childress Racing and K&N Engineering, Inc., the inventor and leading innovator of reusable cotton gauze filter technology for automotive applications, have reached agreement on a multi-year partnership for ECR Engines' NASCAR program. The technical partnership provides ECR Engines with K&N Engineering air and oil filters as well as research and development support. K&N Engineering will receive marketing rights to Richard Childress Racing's drivers, cars and teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. All RCR race cars will be adorned with the K&N decal through the NASCAR Contingency Sponsor program as well as having the K&N logo under the hood of every car.(RCR)(2-17-2012)