2009 Races [11] that BB&T is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Atlanta - 3/8
Bristol - 3/22
Martinsville - 3/29
Talladega - 4/26
Richmond - 5/2
Darlington - 5/9
Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Sprint All-Star Race) - 5/16
Atlanta - 9/6
Dover - 9/27
Martinsville - 10/25
Talladega - 11/1
2009 Races [3] that The Hartford is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Dover - 5/31
New Hampshire - 6/28
Pocono - 8/2
2009 Races [1] that Prilosec OTC is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Auto Club Speedway - 10/11
Contract Status: Sponsors: 2010?; Driver: 2010
#33 Team Past News and Rumors
(NOTE: some older links may not work)
RCR, no wins at Homestead: Homestead has been a bit of an Achilles Heel for Richard Childress Racing and is one of the few race tracks where team owner Richard Childress hasn’t earned a Sprint Cup Series victory. As a company, RCR’s best finish at HMS came in 2003 and in 2008 when Kevin Harvick finished second. In 29 starts, RCR has four top-five and 13 top-10 finishes at the mile-and-a-half, progressively-banked oval with drivers Dave Blaney, Clint Bowyer, Burton, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Green, Harvick and Mike Skinner. Auto Club Speedway, Kansas and Las Vegas are the other tracks on the current schedule where RCR has yet to visit Victory Lane.(RCR)(11-19-2009)
RCR Promotes Joe Foss Institute’s Veterans Program: 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)(11-7-2009)
Final BB&T race for Bowyer: Talladega will mark the final race of the 2009 season where #33-Clint Bowyer's Chevy will sport the burgundy, white and gold paint scheme of Winston-Salem, N.C.,- based BB&T. The sponsor will once again support Bowyer's efforts for the 2010 season.(RCR PR), for an image of the car, see my #33 team paint scheme page.(10-28-2009)
Forsyth Tech names motorsports school after Childress: The motorsports technology program at Forsyth Technical Community College has been renamed Richard Childress Race Car Technology at Forsyth Tech. Richard Childress Racing has a long-standing relationship with Forsyth Tech and employs a number of its graduates. Forsyth Tech has been named a Center of Excellence for Motorsports by the North Carolina Motorsports Consortium. Childress was on-hand for the announcement held on the campus in Winston-Salem, N.C.(RCR PR)(10-28-2009)
RCR making big changes; #07 team could go away: 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 [RCR] 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 #07 entry of RCR’s Casey Mears without sponsorship for 2010. The departure of Jack Daniel’s, which has revealed its intentions to leave the company at the end of the season, leaves Mears without a sponsor. Without sponsorship in place by the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the #07 team will likely go away next season. “Right now we’re meeting with companies. We’ve had several meetings,” Childress said. “As you know, the economic times are tough right now for sponsorship. We’ve got interest in it. We’re wanting to run it. We can’t turn it into a park and start. I don’t want to do that. We’ve got some sponsorship for a few races next year but to be competitive that isn’t the way to do it, so we’re kind of weighing our options to see what we’re going to do.” Childress seemed pleased with the progress of Mears, who joined the organization this season. Despite being 19th in the standings, Mears has notched three top-15s in his last four starts. “We’re working hard,” Childress said. “We’re doing a lot of capital investments moving into next year on some new stuff. We’re making changes in our personnel, we’re going to be making more changes in the next weeks to come.”(SceneDaily)(10-17-2009)
RCR Honors Fallen Winston-Salem Police Officer: Richard Childress Racing will run a memorial decal on its race cars [#'a 07,29,31,33 in Cup] this weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in honor of Sgt. Mickey Hutchens, the Winston-Salem, N.C., police officer who passed away October 12, 2009, after being critically wounded October 7 in the line of duty. RCR will donate $1 to the Hutchens family for every mile completed by its four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams and one NASCAR Nationwide Series team. A total donation of $2,300 will be made if each team completes every lap, 500 miles per Sprint Cup Series team and 300 miles for the Nationwide Series team.(RCR)(10-15-2009)
General Mills Donates Race Tickets to Local Charities: The Boys & Girls Club and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte have a special experience to look forward to. General Mills is donating 100 tickets for this Saturday night’s NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America at Lowe’s Motor Speedway to each organization for them to enjoy racing under the lights. The Boys & Girls Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters are excited about the opportunity ahead. “The race will be a special time for the boys and girls to enjoy together,” said Marty Clary of the Boys and Girls Club. “I’m sure it will be something that the kids never forget. The Club aims to be safe place for kids to learn and grow – all while having fun. This event will fit right in with our ideals. We are very thankful to General Mills for providing us this opportunity.”(Breaking Limits)(10-15-2009)
Monsters scheme coming for Bowyer UPDATE: #33-Clint Bowyer is scheduled to run a special General Mills Monsters Cereal / Halloween paint scheme on October 17th at Lowes Motor Speedway.(7-23-2009)
UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing driver Clint Bowyer is getting in the spirit of Halloween early this year thanks to the help of fans who cast tens of thousands of votes for which spooky firesuit the Emporia, Kan., native would wear for the October 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 500-mile race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Fans were allowed to cast their votes on one of four firesuit designs – one each featuring Count Chocula, Franken Berry, Boo Berry or a suit that featured all three classic General Mills Monsters cereal characters - once a day, every day at www.Millsberry.com/vote. Voting commenced September 10 and ended September 16. When the votes were tallied, it was the Count Chocula firesuit that was declared the winner. In addition to wearing the winning “costume,” Bowyer will drive a special black and purple Scary Fast #33 Count Chocula Chevy that features the three monsters characters. Count Chocula was the first of a new line of monster cereals that debuted in March of 1971. Not only was it the first cereal of the new line, it quickly became the most popular. The Count Chocula, Franken Berry, and Boo Berry characters will be making appearances at Lowe's Motor Speedway through the entire race weekend. Count Chocula is scheduled to accompany Bowyer to driver introductions prior to the start of the 500-mile event. Boxes of Bowyer and Childress-signed Monsters cereal will be given out to the first 333 fans who buy $33 worth of Cheerios Racing merchandise from Bowyer’s at-track merchandise hauler at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.(RCR), see the scheme on my #33 Team Scheme page.(10-13-2009)
Childress Honoring Chevy's Manufacturer's Championship: A decal honoring Chevy's 2009 Manufacturer's Championship in NASCAR's premier division will be affixed to all four Richard Childress Racing entries [#07, #29, #31, #33] for this weekend's Sprint Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway. Chevy earned its 33rd Manufacturer's crown when Tony Stewart won last weekend's Price Chopper 400 at Kansas Speedway, and continues to lead all other manufacturers in the sport with the most championships. The congratulatory decals are prominently displayed on all RCR-prepared Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet's above the B post, directly behind the driver's name.(RCR PR)(10-10-2009)
RCR looking for first California win: Richard Childress Racing has earned a Sprint Cup Series victory at 18 of the 22 tracks on the 2009 schedule. The only tracks on the current schedule where RCR hasn't earned wins are Auto Club Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway. Additionally, RCR has Sprint Cup Series wins at 21 tracks overall, including North Wilkesboro (N.C.), Riverside (Calif.) and Rockingham (N.C.) which are no longer on the schedule.(RCR PR)(10-8-2009)
Prilosec on the #33: This week at Auto Club Speedway #33-Clint Bowyer will pilot the Prilosec OTC - Walmart Chevy. It is chassis #267 from Richard Childress Racing's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This Chevy debuted in February at Auto Club Speedway where Bowyer finished 19th.(RCR PR)(10-8-2009)
Edwards, Bowyer to compete in support of Victory Junction in Kansas: NASCAR drivers #99-Carl Edwards and #33-Clint Bowyer will contest a race within a race when they compete in next Sunday's Price Chopper 400 Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway. Sprint announced a Stateline Challenge between Edwards, of Columbia, Missouri and Bowyer, of Emporia, Kansas. Sprint will present a check for $100,000 to Victory Junction Midwest in the name of the driver who finishes higher in the race. A $25,000 donation will be made in honor of the other driver. All proceeds from the race will help fund construction efforts for Victory Junction, a year-round camp for chronically ill children. The $35 million facility will be built on 71 acres in Wyandotte County, KS.(Kansas City Star)(9-29-2009)
Fans to Decide Bowyer’s Spooky Firesuit: Race fans can get in the spirit of Halloween early this year with Count Chocula, sponsor of Richard Childress Racing’s #33 Chevy and driver Clint Bowyer at the NASCAR Banking 500. Bowyer will run a special Scary Fast #33 Count Chocula Chevy at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on October 17. The black and purple paint scheme features the classic General Mills Monsters cereal characters Count Chocula, Boo Berry and Franken Berry [hmm....marshmellows]. In addition to the Halloween-themed paint scheme, Bowyer will also sport a spooky firesuit for the final night race of the 2009 season – one that fans will have an opportunity to help select. Beginning September 10, fans can vote on one of four firesuit designs – one each featuring Count Chocula, Franken Berry, Boo Berry or a suit that features all three monster characters. “I think it’s pretty cool that fans will have the chance to decide which firesuit I’ll wear at Charlotte,” said Bowyer. “I remember how much fun it was, when my brothers and I were growing up, trying to decide what costume we’d want to wear. All the designs look cool and it’ll be fun to see which ones the fans pick for me.”
No registration is required, and fans can cast their votes once a day, every day at www.Millsberry.com/vote until September 16.(RCR), see images of thew scheme on my #33 Team Schemes page.(9-15-2009)
PRS Guitars donates guitars to drivers: This year’s Chevy Rock & Roll 400 marks the fifth year that one winning NASCAR driver will walk away with a four foot tall, fifty pound trophy custom designed and built by PRS [Paul Reed Smith] Guitars from Stevensville, Maryland. In addition, this year six drivers will leave the track with their own PRS guitar that will help aid many more people down the road.
Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Clint Bowyer have each won a race in Richmond under the domain of Chevrolet. To honor their success and their efforts, PRS held a special press conference Friday at Richmond International Raceway, during which PRS President, Jack Higginbotham presented the aforementioned drivers with a PRS Corvette guitar for their individual charities. Jack Higginbotham, President of Paul Reed Smith Guitars, said, “It is our hope that each of these guitars will develop its own story and have a positive effect on the lives of others. Whether it is cancer research, shelter for the needy or assistance for underprivileged children, each driver has a passion for their cause, and we are honored to help them in their mission.”
PRS’s extensive involvement in racing began with a sponsorship of the world dominating factory Corvette C6.r racing team in 2003. During the past six years, PRS’s involvement in racing has ranged from being a part of large-scale NASCAR events to its own grassroots “Laps For Life” charity event helping support the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland.(PRS Guitars site)(9-12-2009)
RCR cars to honor Fallen Heroes of 9/11: A decal honoring the fallen heroes of 9/11 from the City of New York Police Department, the City of New York Fire Department and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is affixed to the five Richard Childress Racing entries [4 Sprint Cup, 1 NNS] in this weekend’s NASCAR races at Richmond International Raceway. Police Officer Victor Dipierro, of the NYPD’s 47th Precinct, has provided the Fallen Heroes decals to RCR each year since 2003 to mark the anniversary of the World Trade Center tragedy. Part of the 47th Precinct’s 9/11 Memorial contains sections of sheet metal from the three RCR cars which carried the decals in the Fall 2003 race at Richmond International Raceway.(RCR)(9-12-2009)
RCR reorganizes management: Richard Childress Racing has reorganized the management of its competition department to provide its race teams and sponsors with consistent improvement in on-track performance. “This reorganization is the result of a process that took place over the past few months to improve our performance,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “On-track performance is the lifeblood of RCR and everything we do is impacted by how competitive our cars are week-in and week-out. Our common goal remains the same: win races and compete for championships. The creation of these new processes and priorities, with greater accountability, will improve our performance and every aspect of our organization. “
Mike Dillon retains his position as vice president of competition, but with revised responsibilities. His primary focus will continue to be competition department oversight. He reports directly to Childress.
Scott Miller, crew chief for RCR’s #31 Caterpillar Racing team with driver Jeff Burton in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has been named to the revised position of director of competition. His primary responsibility is oversight of the key areas of race car performance: speed, handling and durability. Miller reports directly to Dillon and will continue his dual responsibilities until the conclusion of the 2009 season. The crew chief position for the #31 team will be filled at a later date.
Kent Day, RCR’s technical director of competition, now reports directly to Miller. Day’s primary responsibility is in setting the technical direction of race car development.
Will Lind, an employee of RCR since 1982 and the director of competition the past two seasons, will assume the new role of business director of competition. Lind will continue to report directly to Dillon.
“Scott’s experience as a team engineer and a crew chief gives him a solid foundation in both disciplines and provides a unique perspective on the direction the sport is taking from the competition side,” said Childress. “We’ve also shifted some responsibilities in other areas of the competition department to maximize performance and efficiency. RCR has some of the best people in the business and they will only become better by working within this new structure.”(RCR)(9-2-2009)
Changes at RCR? Changes are coming at Richard Childress Racing. "We're getting ready to make a lot of changes to hopefully change [the performance]," Team owner Richard Childress said last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. He wouldn't get any more specific, but those close to the situation said there will be some major restructuring announced early this week that hopefully will improve performance. The organization already has made some changes within the teams to put the best at-the-track personnel with Clint Bowyer, the only one of RCR's four drivers with a shot at the Chase. Bowyer is 15th in points, 112 points out with two races remaining before the field is set. Jeff Burton is 18th, Casey Mears is 20th and Kevin Harvick is 24th. Childress has already switched the crew chiefs of Harvick and Mears in an attempt to improve performance, so any further changes likely will come in a shakeup of managerial or engineering structure.(ESPN)(8-24-2009)
To be displayed on the RCR
cars at Watkins Glen
Bowyer in different colors at Bristo UPDATEl: Clint Bowyer's #33 Richard Childress Racing Chevy will replace its traditional yellow and red colors of Cheerios this weekend in Bristol for a black and red Hamburger Helper paint scheme.(RCR)(8-19-2009)
UPDATE Hamburger Helper and Richard Childress Racing’s #33 team are partnering up for a promotion at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. The “When Clint Wins, You Win” promotion will give 33,000 fans a free box of Hamburger Helper skillet meal if Bowyer is able to win the sold out Sharpie 500 this Saturday night. In addition to being featured as the primary sponsor of Bowyer’s Chevrolet for the 500-lap race, Hamburger Helper will also sponsor Bristol’s infamous Turn 4. Bristol’s high banked turn will be referred to as “High 4” in honor of Hamburger Helper’s Helping Hand. If Bowyer is able to pick up the win, the first 33,000 fans that register on HamburgerHelper.com will be able to sign up to receive a coupon for a free box of Hamburger Helper. The offer is limited to one winner per household. As part of their partnership with Bristol Motor Speedway, over 14,000 fans seated above the “High 4” turn will receive Hamburger Helper foam hands that they will be encouraged to wave on lap 33 to cheer on the #33 team. Additionally, all Bristol Motor Speedway “Helpers,” from ushers to gate and parking attendants, will wear Hamburger Helper foam hands as they greet fans throughout the weekend’s festivities.(RCR)(8-20-2009)
#07 to honor Jack Daniel's Master Distiller: Jimmy Bedford, former Master Distiller for Jack Daniel’s, passed away suddenly on Friday, Aug. 7, at his home in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Bedford is one of only seven Master Distiller’s the company has ever had; a position he held for 20 years from 1988 to 2008. Bedford, 69, was born and raised in Moore County, the home of Jack Daniel’s, and worked for the distillery for 41 years. In his memory, the Old #07 Jack Daniel’s Chevy, driven by Casey Mears, will carry a special decal with the famous Jack Daniel’s logo on it for this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International. In addition to the logo, the decal will say “In Memory of Jimmy Bedford.” The other three Sprint Cup Series cars of Richard Childress Racing; Kevin Harvick in the #29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet, Jeff Burton in the #31 Caterpillar Chevy and Clint Bowyer in the #33 Hamburger Helper/Cheerios Chevy, will carry a black and white decal [see above] with the saying “In Memory of Jimmy Bedford.”(RCR)(8-8-2009)
- Hartford returns on Bowyers car: Clint Bowyer’s #33 Chevy will replace its traditional yellow and red colors this weekend in Pocono in favor of The Hartford’s white, blue and maroon paint scheme. Pocono marks the third and final race where the Hartford, Conn.,-based corporation will be featured as the primary sponsor this season. The Hartford will host a scavenger hunt surrounding the race events in Pocono this weekend. For more information, log on to TheHartfordRacing.com.(RCR), see images of the car on my #33 Team Schemes page.(7-29-2009)
Monsters scheme coming for Bowyer: #33-Clint Bowyer is scheduled to run a special General Mills Monsters Cereal / Halloween paint scheme on October 17th at Lowes Motor Speedway. See the scheme on my #33 Team Scheme page.(7-23-2009)
- Different Cheerios scheme at Chicago: Clint Bowyer’s #33 Chevy will sport a “heart healthy” paint scheme similar to the one ran at Michigan in June, but this time around it will feature the first and last names of 3,300 lucky fans who were selected from Cheerios’ online sweepstakes to have their name appear on Bowyer’s #33 Chevy. The paint scheme concludes Cheerios’ four week campaign with Richard Childress encouraging race fans to take care of their heart. Fans can still visit CheeriosRacing.com to sign up and get $4 in coupons from Cheerios.(RCR), see images of the scheme on my #33 Team Schemes page.(7-7-2009)
- RCR to scale back to two teams? UPDATE - Statement: There is speculation that Chevy team owner Richard Childress may have to cut back to a two-car operation next season, if the Shell [#29-Harvick] and Jack Daniels [#07-Casey Mears] 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)(6-22-2009)
UPDATE: 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)(6-23-2009)
- Richard Childress Statement about 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)(6-20-2009)
- How much does GM pay to 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 [click to view pdf] 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)(6-20-2009)
- Bowyer to run special Cheerios scheme: Clint Bowyer’s #33 Chevy will sport a “heart healthy” paint scheme this week at Michigan International Speedway as Cheerios, along with Richard Chidlress Racing president and CEO Richard Childress kick off a month-long program encouraging race fans to take care of their hearts. Thanks to a donation from Bowyer, Camp Alexander, located in Bowyer’s hometown of Emporia, Kan., will have enough money to operate their camp the rest of the summer, according to Kay Calvert, chairwoman of Camp Alexander’s board of directors.(RCR). MIS and Cheerios are teaming up for a “Good for the Heart” walk for fans at this year’s LifeLock 400, more info about the walk on my Racing Charities page.(6-9-2009)
- Richard Childress Elected to NRA Board of Directors" NASCAR championship-winning team owner Richard Childress [#'s 07,29,31,33] 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)(6-5-2009)
- New Colors for Bowyer at Dover: Clint Bowyer’s #33 Chevy will sport new colors this weekend at Dover International Speedway when the white, blue and maroon paint scheme of The Hartford adorns the #33 for the first of three races in which the Hartford, Conn. corporation will be featured as the primary sponsor. The Hartford is inviting fans to take part in Clint Bowyer’s birthday celebration. Fans can log on to www.TheHartfordRacing.com until Saturday, June 30 at 11:59pm/et and grant Bowyer birthday well wishes. The personalized card will then be given to Bowyer at a special presentation Sunday morning prior to the race.(RCR), see an image of the scheme on my #33 Team Schemes page.(5-27-2009)
- 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 #31 Prilosec OTC-Walmart Chevy driven by Jeff Burton at Richmond International Raceway in May and Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July. Primary sponsorship will then be featured on the #33 Prilosec OTC-Walmart Chevy driven by Clint Bowyer at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., in October. Prilosec OTC has been an associate sponsor of RCR’s #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 #31 Caterpillar Chevy as well as the uniforms and firesuits of Burton and the entire #31 team. In addition to the RCR team partnership, Prilosec OTC will sponsor the “Prilosec OTC BBQ Shootout Series” throughout the 2009 Sprint Cup Series race season. The mobile tour will travel to six NASCAR cities during the spring and summer months showcasing the country’s best BBQ Pit Masters [Texas a few weeks ago, Richmond in May, Charlotte in May, Indy in July, Bristol in August and Atlanta in Sept.](RCR PR), see an image of the #31 car on my #31 Team Schemes page.(4-30-2009)
- RCR Kicks off 40th Anniversary Celebration Where it All Began: What began in September 1969 as a stroke of good fortune for a young driver with a dream has become one of the more storied franchises in sports history. Richard Childress Racing launched its 40th anniversary celebration today at Talladega 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, 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 #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. The Winston-Salem, N.C., native started 26th and finished 23rd in that first Talladega race. Childress drove a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro after competing in the same car the day before in a support race for the inaugural event at what was then known as Alabama International Motor Speedway. He only competed in the race when NASCAR founder Bill France asked him to help fill the field after the regular series drivers refused to drive on the brand new 2.66-mile high-banked facility. Childress invested the money he made that weekend in a small piece of land where he built a race shop and, as is so often said, the rest is history.(RCR PR)(4-25-2009)
- RCR 40th Anniversary Announcement: Richard Childress Racing has scheduled a press conference for Saturday, April 25, at 9:30am 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)(4-23-2009)
- Bowyer to appear on Biggest Loser: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevy for Richard Childress Racing, will appear on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” on Tuesday, March 24 (9-11pm/et/pt, following President Obama’s speech). During an intense challenge, Bowyer will witness just how strong the show contestants are. “Being involved with ‘The Biggest Loser’ was a real eye-opener,” said Bowyer, who is the first NASCAR driver to appear on the show. “The show is all about winning. It was amazing to see how hard everyone works and the sacrifices they make. The trainers really get the contestants to believe in themselves and commit to improving their lives for years to come. I can’t wait to see the show on Tuesday night.”(RCR PR)(3-17-2009)
- Realtree's Bill Jordan to Drive in Celebrity/Legends Race at Bristol: Realtree Founder and President Bill Jordan will drive a Team Realtree car, furnished by Richard Childress Racing, in the first annual Scotts Saturday Night Special Celebrity/Legends Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jordan's role in the race is to run the first 15 laps against other celebrities to determine the starting positions for the legendary NASCAR drivers, who will complete the remaining 35 laps of the 50-lap event. Jordan's NASCAR legends teammate will be Terry Labonte. Jordan and Labonte's honorary pit crew will be comprised of current NASCAR drivers, many of whom hunt with Jordan and appear on the Driven to Hunt television show on ESPN2. These pit crew members will include Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, and Martin Truex, Jr. RCR president and CEO Richard Childress will serve as Jordan's spotter during the race. The First Annual Scotts Saturday Night Special Celebrity/Legends Race will air live on March 21 on ESPN2 following the completion of the Scotts Turf Builder 300 Nationwide Series race and will be followed by a 100-lap UARA late model event. Drivers will compete in late-model stock cars and $25,000 will be donated to the winning team’s charity of choice. The second-place team will have $10,000 given to the charity of its choice and $5,000 will go to the designated charity of the other entrants. Tickets, which include all three races, start at $45 and are available by calling the BMS ticket office at 423-989-6900 or by visiting www.bristoltix.com.(RCR PR)(3-14-2009)
- Bowyer's Crew Claims Tissot Pit Road Win in Atlanta: The #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 #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)(3-11-2009)
- Philanthropists support the Childress Institute: 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. Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and the Childress family are working with corporations and individuals to raise awareness and an additional $20 million to establish the Institute’s endowment fund. For more information on the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma visit www.childresspediatrictrauma.org.(RCR PR)(3-7-2009)
- BB&T colors for Bowyer this week: Clint Bowyer’s Chevy will sport new colors this weekend when the burgundy, white and gold paint scheme of BB&T adorn the #33 for the first of 11 races [see ,y #33 Team News page for the BB&T race list] where the Winston-Salem, N.C. corporation will be featured as the primary sponsor (RCR PR). See images of the scheme on my #33 Team Schemes page.(3-5-2009)
- RCR..four tracks left: Richard Childress Racing has earned a Sprint Cup Series victory at 18 of the 22 tracks on the 2009 schedule. The only tracks on the current schedule where RCR hasn’t earned wins are Auto Club Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway. Additionally, RCR has Sprint Cup Series wins at 21 tracks overall, including North Wilkesboro, Riverside (CA) and Rockingham (N.C.) which are no longer on the schedule.(RCR PR)(2-26-2009)
- The Hartford Set 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 #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 #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)(2-13-2009)
- Kyle Busch joins Gillette Young Guns: With the NASCAR season ready to roll, Gillette announced that Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota will be the newest member to its star-studded Gillette Young Guns lineup, which includes Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman [Kyle replaces his brother Kurt]. During the off-season, Busch was welcomed to the Gillette Young Guns team when he participated in a two-day ad shoot to support the launch of the gaming-inspired Gillette Fusion Power Gamer, which features Fusion’s 5-bladed shaving surface for unsurpassed comfort and a sleek new look. The spot, titled “Jumbotron,” was created by BBDO NY, features all six Gillette Young Guns. Airing for the first time during the FOX telecast of the Daytona 500, “Jumbotron” follows the Gillette Young Guns as they attempt to sneak into the race track and play video games from atop a motorcoach.(Gillette Young Guns PR)(2-7-2009)
- Penske buys the #22, Davis a minority owner UPDATE more: Bill Davis is now a minority owner in Penske Racing. Penske has acquired Davis' #22 and will keep the number for further consideration to align with the #2 and #12. But for now, the #77 Mobil 1 Dodge driven by Sam Hornish Jr. will take the 22's owner points and start the 2009 season 31st, which guarantees it a position in the Daytona 500. "As a business person, you have to look at what your options are," Penske said by phone. "I think the key thing right now is it's too bad that anyone who has run a full season whether they're in the top 35 or not — and I don't mean the ones that run a half season — but if you run the full season last year, every car in every race, you hope you would be given some kind of priority."(FoxSports)(2-3-2009)
UPDATE: #09-Phoenix Racing’s Brad Keselowski will get the points from the #41 or #01 left over from the Chip Ganassi Racing-Dale Earnhardt Inc. merger, according to sources. That leaves one set of points remaining, and those possibly could go to Richard Childress Racing’s Clint Bowyer, who moved to the new RCR #33 car this year while Casey Mears, the new driver of the #07 car, has Bowyer’s points from last season. RCR officials would not confirm whether the team is working a deal for top-35 points. While having the points is good news for Hornish (who will still drive the #77), it is not good news for Richard Petty Motorsports’ #44-AJ Allmendinger, who now will have to qualify on speed or race his way in the Daytona 500. His car was 37th in owners points last year. Marcos Ambrose, driver of the #47 JTG Daugherty Racing car, is on the bubble at 36th from last season. If RCR gets points for Bowyer as expected, then Ambrose also will have to qualify on speed or race his way in the Daytona 500. Michael Waltrip, whose Michael Waltrip Racing builds cars for Ambrose, said Tuesday that he was unsure whether Ambrose would end up being locked in for the Daytona 500.(SceneDaily), see my 2009 Owners Points - 1st five races page(2-4-2009)
- Childress receives Tribute Award: Richard Childress accepted the North Carolina Motorsports Association’s (NCMA) Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award Monday evening at the third annual NCMA industry awards ceremony at the Embassy Suites Convention Hall. Childress, who celebrated his 40th anniversary as a NASCAR Cup Series team owner in 2008, was recognized for his accomplishments in motorsports, his compassion and philanthropic efforts off the track, and for his individual integrity and character. Childress was introduced by last year’s recipient, “King” Richard Petty. The event also honored companies and institutions whose efforts in 2008 greatly impacted the motorsports industry in North Carolina in 10 distinct categories: 1. Education, Two-Year Central Piedmont Community College 2. Education, Four-Year Belmont Abby College 3. Workforce Diversity Winston-Salem State University 4. Marketing, Regional Food Lion Auto Fair 5. Marketing, National NASCAR’s Home Track Campaign 6. Event Facilities Z-Max Dragway 7. Economic Development Mooresville – South Iredell 8. Safety Innovation B.R.A.K.E.S 9. Small Company SRI 10. Large Company CV Products The NCMA is the voice of the motorsports industry in North Carolina, representing businesses that support more than 26,000 jobs in the state.(NCMA PR)(1-29-2009)
- Bowyer gets new plane: Clint Bowyer recently [Dec 22nd] took delivery of his Beechcraft Premier IA, the world’s fastest and most technologically advanced single-pilot business jet. With a cruising speed greater than 520mph – 50mph faster than its nearest competitor – the Premier IA is the only light jet in the world that satisfies Bowyer’s need for speed. While in Wichita for the delivery, Bowyer toured the Hawker Beechcraft manufacturing plant and signed autographs for employees. “As a NASCAR driver, I have a very demanding schedule that takes me from coast-to-coast on a regular basis,” Bowyer said. “My new Premier IA will allow me to operate more efficiently and effectively. I am proud to own an airplane made in my home state of Kansas. It was great to see many NASCAR fans at the factory today and I thank them for their work on this superior aircraft.”(Hawker Beechcraft)(12-29-2008)
- Part of I-85 in NC named For Richard Childress: Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett joined N.C. Board of Transportation member Nancy Dunn and other state and local officials to dedicate a 5.5-mile section of I-85 from U.S. 64 to Lake Road (State Road 2085) in Davidson County as the Richard Childress Freeway, in honor of the former NASCAR driver and current team owner Richard Childress. A ceremony officially naming the highway for Childress was held at Richard Childress Racing in Welcome on Tuesday. “Richard has been a great contributor to the sport of automobile racing, North Carolina’s growing wine industry and the economy of Davidson County,” Tippett said. “Naming this stretch of I-85 for him is a fitting tribute to the many ways he has given back to this state and its communities.” Childress is the president and owner of Richard Childress Racing. His race team, based in Welcome, has won 12 NASCAR championships including six Sprint Cup, five Nationwide Series and one Craftsman Truck series. Childress is also the owner of Childress Vineyards, located in Lexington. The vineyard, which opened in November 2004, has received several industry awards and was recently named one of America’s Top 25 Tasting Rooms by Wine Enthusiast. Through his efforts and dedication to the local community, Childress has helped create more than 500 local jobs and made the Childress group of companies one of Davidson County’s top five private employers. He has also directly invested more than $100 million into the local economy and recently donated $5 million to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to initiate the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. The Davidson County Board of Commissioners requested the road naming, and the N.C. Board of Transportation passed a resolution dedicating the stretch of highway in Childress’ honor in July, 2008. (RCR site)(12-17-2008)
- Childress to have highway named for him: Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett will join local officials on Tuesday, Dec. 16th at Richard Childress Racing in a ceremony dedicating the segment of I-85 from Lake Road (State Road 2085) to U.S. 64 in Davidson County as the Richard Childress Freeway in honor of Childress and the work he has done for Davidson County and the Piedmont region of North Carolina.(RCR PR)(12-13-2008)
- RCR Gets 20/20 Hindsight: Richard Childress Racing will utilize Monitoring Technology Corporation’s 20/20 Hindsight system to improve the efficiency of its Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series over-the-wall pit crews. RCR, through its Human Performance department, and MTC have entered into a multi-year technical partnership. MTC, based in Fairfax, Va., provides products that monitor industrial equipment and processes utilizing high-speed cameras, vibration sensors, tachometers and other sensors. Its 20/20 Hindsight technology provides millisecond accuracy, portability and, as a result, increased efficiency.(RCR PR)(12-10-2008)
- Clint Bowyer on Motorcycle Safety: An increase of motorcycles on the road and the fact that less than half have taken an organized rider education course, indicates a need for increased awareness of proper motorcycle safety. Clint Bowyer, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner and Shell-Pennzoil sponsored NASCAR driver, began his career as a motocross racer. He truly knows the importance of safety, both on and off the track. "One of the first things I learned when I started racing was to recognize the importance of safety. You can't afford not to when you're competing at top speeds with 42 other drivers all around you," Bowyer says. "I apply the same philosophy in my personal life. Whether I'm going tire-to-tire on the race track or cruising the highway on my Harley, safety is always a priority."
Motorcyclists can apply Bowyer's safety philosophy to their own lives by following these simple tips:
1. Prepare - Wear appropriate gear for comfort and protection (eye wear, helmet, long pants, jacket, boots).
2. Be seen - Stand out. Wear bright colors and use retro-reflective material.
3. Be awake - Fatigue and drowsiness can impair a motorcyclist's ability to react, so be alert.
4. Be courteous - Be considerate on the road; show respect and civility.
5. Plan - Have your route and stops set in advance to ensure a safer ride.
6. Inspect - Conduct a safety inspection of your motorcycle before each ride. T-CLOCS is an easy way to remember what to inspect. Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis and Sidestand.
Bowyer isn't alone in noticing the need for motorcycle safety awareness. Harley-Davidson not only provides its riders with safety tips for the road on its Web site, but it also offers the Rider's Edge New Rider Course, which has trained more than 140,000 students since the program's inception in 2000. Additionally, the Harley-Davidson Ride Planner version 2.0 provides an interactive Web-based tool that enables riders to map out a safe route before even leaving the garage. Motorcyclists can plot points of interest and amenities along any route. Ride Planner even highlights more than 14,000 Shell stations across the U.S., helping to ensure that riders won't be stranded by the side of the road on "empty" with no quality gasoline in sight. According to Bowyer, when it comes to safety, motorcyclists shouldn't "skimp."
"I wouldn't buy any bargain-basement helmet or cheap riding gear and I don't put discount gasoline in my tank. I want my Harley to perform like it was built to, so I always use a quality premium gasoline, like Shell V-Power." Using proper motorcycle safety on and off the road creates a safer environment for motorcyclists. Being aware and recognizing the different steps you can take to become a safer driver will ensure not only your safety, but also the safety of others. The more educated you are, the safer your ride.(Carteret News Times/ARAContent)(11-30-2008)
- Bodine, Wimmer to tour military bases: Geoff Bodine, Hillary Will, Scott Wimmer, and Arie Luyendyk will tour United States Military bases as part of the Racing Heroes 2008 goodwill military tour. The tour, which begins on December 9th and concludes on December 20th, will include visits to U.S. Military Bases in Iraq and Kuwait. The Racing Heroes 2008 goodwill tour is geared toward military personnel stationed overseas. The program focuses on raising spirits and providing inspiration to servicemen and women serving abroad. David Chavez, president of Pro Sports MVP says, "The UFC fighters' and models' visit will have a tremendous impact on the troops. We are certain that the Racing Heroes 2008 tour will be very entertaining and a welcome and needed break from the routine". The participants will attend autograph/photograph sessions, lead clinics and demonstrations, hold meet and greets, and visit hospital patients and staff.(Pro Sports MVP PR)(11-13-2008)
- BB&T to sponsor #33 & Bowyer for eleven 2009 races: 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)(11-12-2008)
- Childress named NCMA Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award: Richard Childress will be the recipient of the North Carolina Motorsports Association’s Tribute Award at the group’s annual awards banquet on January 26, 2009, at the Embassy Suites Resort and Conference Center in Concord, NC. Childress is celebrating his 40th year as a NASCAR team owner in 2008, having amassed 11 championships, two Daytona 500 and two Brickyard 400 victories in addition to a lifetime of achievements on and off the track in his home state of North Carolina. As both a driver and team owner, Childress has been an integral part of NASCAR’s highest level of racing for five decades. His career as a driver spanned from 1969 to the middle of 1981 when he made the tough decision to step down as a driver but to remain a team owner with driver Dale Earnhardt. He built up his team and achieved his first Cup Series victory in 1983 with driver Ricky Rudd. Then in 1984, Earnhardt returned as Childress’s full-time driver, and together they went on to win six championships between 1986 and 1994. Still competing for championships to this day and continuing to grow, as Richard Childress Racing (RCR) will expand from a three-car to four-car operation in 2009, Childress is truly one of the most accomplished professionals in motorsports.
An avid hunter and outdoor conservationist, he contributes annually to the North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation and has been a longtime supporter of the Winston-Salem Soap Box Derby. In July, he teamed up with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to form the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma – creating what will become the nation’s most comprehensive institute for pediatric trauma. In 2004, Childress was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Jim Hunt, the state’s highest honor, and in May he was inducted to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. His passion for fine wine led to the founding of Childress Vineyards, a Napa Valley-influenced winery that produces quality North Carolina wines in Lexington, N.C. -- not far from his RCR race shop. Other winner’s of the NCMA’s Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award include Richard Petty and Benny Parsons. Additionally, winners of awards in 10 distinct categories will be determined by an NCMA member vote.(NCMA PR)(11-12-2008)
- RCR Reorganizes its Business Unit: Richard Childress Racing has reorganized its business unit to help strengthen the overall performance of the 11-time NASCAR championship-winning organization. Ben Schlosser has been promoted to the position of senior vice president, business operations. Schlosser joined RCR in April 2002 as director of corporate sales and sponsorships and was named vice president of marketing in 2004. In his newly expanded role, departments reporting to him will include partnership marketing, business development, communications, licensing, the RCR Racing Museum, and show car and promotions. “The purpose of this reorganization is to be more efficient for our sponsors and everyone involved in making RCR a success,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. “Ben has a very good understanding of the business side of RCR so bringing the communications, licensing and show car departments under his supervision, along with the partnership marketing department, will allow all of those units to work together more seamlessly.”
Bill Patterson has been named executive vice president, support services. Patterson began his fulltime tenure at RCR in 1983 and has been a part of all 11 of its NASCAR championships. The departments now under his direction will include finance and accounting, human resources, aviation, and facilities and maintenance. Additional responsibilities will include capital and major expenditures, driver contracts and other contract issues. "Bill has been an asset to RCR since the early 1980s and will continue to be moving forward,” said Childress. “His new responsibilities will allow him to focus more on RCR’s finances and accounting, which has always been important but is even more so in the current economic climate.”(RCR PR)(11-5-2008)
- RCR Names DiCio Director of Business Development: Michael DiCio has been named managing director of business development for 11-time NASCAR championship-winning Richard Childress Racing. DiCio comes to RCR with nearly 30 years’ experience in marketing and business development with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation. His day-to-day responsibilities will include overseeing overall business development, including sponsorship opportunities across RCR's teams and new corporate and technical partnerships. He will also explore new strategic partnerships, potential B2B opportunities for RCR and its partners, and incremental revenue opportunities. “We are excited about Mike becoming a key member of our marketing team at RCR,” said Ben Schlosser, RCR’s vice president of marketing. “Mike’s energy and his nearly 30 years of strategic planning, business development, brand management and international business experience will make him a valuable asset to RCR and our partners.” DiCio earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He was the 1978 NCAA Division III Springboard Diving Champion and a six-time All-America in both one-meter and three-meter competition (1977-79).(RCR PR)(10-28-2008)
- Martin to the #5...in 2008? UPDATE 2: hearing that Mark Martin may get started on his ride a few races early and running the #5 Carquest/Kelloggs Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports in the final four races [Atlanta , Texas, Phoenix, Homestead] of the 2008 Cup season. Casey Mears currently drives the car. Martin is slated to drive the #8 US Army Chevy for DEI in 3 of the 4 final 2008 races, with Aric Almirola in at Phoenix.(8-6-2008)
UPDATE: during SPEED's coverage of the first Saturday practice, Larry McReynolds said he had a nugget....Mark Martin will run the final four races of the 2008 Sprint Cup season, including the final race at Homestead, but not in the #8 DEI Chevy, but in a Hendrick Chevy, so he could be in the #5 Chevy, meaning we may see Casey Mears in a 4th RCR car [#33?] at Homestead.(10-25-2008)
UPDATE 2: Hendrick Motorsports is considering a plan that would put Mark Martin in the #5 car for the final race of this season at Homestead Speedway, sources told ESPN.com. Martin will drive the #5 car for Hendrick Motorsports in the 2009 season.
A contingency to the plan is getting Casey Mears, the current driver of the #5, into the fourth car at Richard Childress Racing that he will drive next season. But in order to do that Mears likely would have to drive the #33, not the #07 that he is slated to drive because Clint Bowyer is driving that car in the Chase. Richard Childress Racing is willing to put Mears in the #33 car unsponsored as it wants to get him in the race. Martin will be free of his duties in the #8 at Dale Earnhardt Enterprises after the next two races at Texas and Phoenix. He will end his part-time schedule that he has been on for a couple of years to run a full-time schedule for Hendrick Motorsports.
Officials from Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing were not immediately available for comment.(ESPN)(10-27-2008)
- Bowyer talks bout new crew chief and car# change: #07-Clint Bowyer met with media [at Atlanta Motor Speedway] and discussed Shane Wilson named as crew chief for ’09, starting on a clean sheet of paper next year, and more:
ON THE ANNOUNCED PLAN THAT SHANE WILSON WILL BE HIS CREW CHIEF IN 2009.
“He’s the best man for the job. He’s been around RCR for quite some time. He’s going to fit in well right off the bat. That’s something that’s important. Everybody knows we’ve got to start off at Daytona right out of the box good to be in contention for this Chase. I think he’s the best guy for that and the fit-factor, and he’s organized. He’s got a game plan and that’s what I like about him.”
WHY WAS THAT DECISION MADE TO HAVE SHANE WILSON BE YOUR CREW CHIEF AND NOT GIL MARTIN?
“It’s for the betterment of our organization. Bringing a fourth team in and moving me over to the #33 car in the long haul, that’s going to be better for me. It’s going to bring more income in, more resources. When we go test, it’s another car I can pull information from. In the long haul looking forward it’s going to be a lot better.”
A LOT OF FANS THINK THE #07 IS JUST GOING TO SWITCH OVER, PUT NEW UNIFORMS ON, AND TAKE THE POINTS OF THE ’07, BUT YOU GUYS ARE STARTING ON A CLEAN SHEET OF PAPER
“Yeah, it is what it is. You’ve got to make the best out of it and we will. We’re going to make the Chase and hopefully we can get all four of us in it.”(GM Racing PR)(10-27-2008)
- Shane Wilson Named Crew Chief for RCR’s #33 in 2009: Richard Childress Racing has named veteran NASCAR crew chief Shane Wilson to head up its #33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper team for the 2009 NASCAR Cup Series season. Wilson will call the shots for Clint Bowyer, who was announced in August as the driver for RCR’s fourth Cup Series team next year after completing this season with its #07 team. “Shane brings a great deal of knowledge and success to the Cheerios/Hamburger Helper team, much of which he has earned since coming to RCR in 2006,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He will be able to hit the ground running since he’s already familiar with and has been a part of the organization for the past three years. He and Clint have worked together a little bit and I’m confident they will complement each other in this new program.” Wilson, a South Royalton, Vt., native has been with RCR since January 2006 and has nearly a quarter-century of motorsports experience.(RCR PR), when the Mears-Bowyer switch was announced, it was mentioned that the #33 would NOT get the #07 team owners points, but that Childress had something in the works, like possibly buying owners points from another team, with all the merger rumors out there, that could be DEI, Ganassi or another team in the top-35. Have heard nothing since.(10-21-2008)
- Mike Wallace to attempt Talladega for RCR: Mike Wallace’s will attempt to qualify RCR’s #33 Realtree Driven to the Outdoors Chevy at Talladega and will give RCR four entries for this weekend’s AMP Energy 500. This will be his first Cup Series attempt this season but he has 186 career starts since making his series’ debut in 1991. In two Cup Series races last season, he finished fourth in the Daytona 500 and 19th at the fall race at Talladega. Richard Childress competed as a driver in Talladega’s inaugural race in 1969 and used his winnings from that race weekend to help start RCR. In cooperation with RCR sponsors Realtree, Chevrolet, Shell Oil Company and Motorsports Authentics, Wallace’s paint scheme will feature a Driven to the Outdoors themed paint scheme. In addition to a full line of NASCAR camouflage merchandise and memorabilia, the Chevy Driven to the Outdoors program will feature a unique sweepstakes that will ultimately reward one fan with a 2009 Chevy Silverado LTZ. Fans interested in learning more about the Chevy Driven to the Outdoors program and the rules associated with the sweepstakes can visit www.chevy.com/driven.(RCR PR)(10-3-2008)
- Mike Wallace to drive #33 for RCR at Talladega: Realtree, the home of America's most versatile camo patterns, will sponsor Richard Childress Racing's #33 Realtree Driven to the Outdoors Chevy and driver Mike Wallace in the Oct. 5 Amp Energy 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. RCR and Realtree, based in Columbus, Ga., have a long-standing relationship. Realtree president Bill Jordan and RCR president and CEO Richard Childress have been personal friends for decades and Team Realtree first sponsored the legendary Dale Earnhardt and RCR's #3 GM Goodwrench team in 1997. Team Realtree also sponsors Team Dillon Racing's Ty Dillon, the younger grandson of Childress, in the Fastrak Racing Series Dirt Late Model Touring Division.(RCR PR)(9-26-2008)
- RCR has never won a Cup race at Kansas: Surprisingly enough, in 20 starts at Kansas Speedway, RCR has only two top-five and just five top-10 finishes. Clint Bowyer finished second last year while Kevin Harvick went on to finish sixth. In 2006, Burton captured his career-best finish at the 1.5-mile oval by finishing fifth while teammate Bowyer finished ninth. Harvick notched a sixth-place effort in October 2003. All told, RCR's three-car team has a 22.6 starting average and a 17.6 average finish at the metropolitan Kansas City race course. The only other tracks on the current schedule where RCR hasn't earned Cup Series wins are Auto Club Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(RCR PR)(9-26-2008)
- Childress may merge to get points for #33: from a GM Racing PR:
RICHARD CHILDRESS, OWNER OF RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING, met with members of the media to announce the driver alignment for the #07 Jack Daniel’s Impala SS and the #33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Impala SS for 2009. Highlights from the transcript:
RICHARD CHILDRESS: “We have talked to the press several times over the last few months and said we are going to let you know, we are going to let you know, who is the fourth driver, what we are going to do. We did a lot of work, Mike Dillon, Ben Schlosser, our whole group. We looked at all the competition throughout RCR, we have picked Casey Mears as the driver of our fourth team, which all teams are equal, but he will be driving the Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet next year.”
CHILDRESS: “There have been a lot of questions asked about what we are doing and the one I get a lot is the points on the #07, are we changing them, what are we doing? The points will stay with the #07. We have all the confidence in the world in Clint and his team that we’re going to be ok there. We have some things working there as well. Right now, like we do every year at this time, we start evaluating our competition. Where we are at with all of our teams. We use Jeff’s and Kevin’s input a lot. Kevin is doing an appearance but Jeff is here, glad to have you Jeff. We are just thrilled about next year. We have our work cut out for us the next three weeks and that is what we are concentrating on right now is to get in to the Chase and at that point we want to be a championship contender which I know we will be. We’ve got to get through that and once we do that, then we will start addressing other things.”
RICHARD, ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GET OWNER’S POINTS FROM SOMEONE IN THE TOP-35? “We are going to be just fine. We’ve did a lot of research and looked in to a lot of different things. At this time, we really can’t say what the plan is, but we are definitely working on a few things.”
CLINT, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT STARTING NEXT YEAR WITH NO OWNER’S POINTS? “It is like I told him (Richard), beats beatin’ dents in the body shop.”
RICHARD, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT CREWS? “We are working on all of that at this time. Like I said, we aren’t going to get in to all of that. We are evaluating every direction, we have some really good plans. At this time, we’re not going to say what we are doing there because we have to concentrate on the next three weeks. This is really important, this is an important day for all of us. Bringing Casey on and Jack Daniel’s staying with us and General Mills with Laura Rather and her group over here, it is a special day. But, we all know what work we have cut out for us for the next three weeks. We have been working on this fourth team for quite a while and we have some great plans and no matter which way we go, it is going to be successful.”(GM Racing PR)(8-24-2008)
- Mears to RCR? Swap with Bowyer? UPDATE2: with Truex now re-signed with DEI to stay there for another year, it looks like Casey Mears is the front runner to be RCR's 4th driver BUT am hearing that Mears could end up in the #07 Jack Daniels's Chevy with Clint Bowyer moving over to the 4th team, sponsored by General Mills/Cheerios, supposedly using the #33. The teams could switch owners points so Bowyer is not out of the top-35 in owners points and Mears would have to qualify the #07 for the first five races of 2009.(8-9-2008)
UPDATE RCR to announce 2009 plans: Richard Childress Racing is scheduled to make an announcement on Saturday [Aug 23rd] afternoon to outline their 2009 plans. This could be the announcement of the 4th Cup driver. Casey Mears is the latest rumored driver, with Mears taking over the #07 Jack Daniel's car and Clint Bowyer taking over the 4th car, the #33 General Miils/Cheerios Chevy. Part of the announcement could be announcing that Childress grandson, Austin Dillon, making his debut at RIR in the Nationwide Series.(8-22-2008)
UPDATE 2: Richard Childress Racing announced today that Casey Mears will drive for its #07 Jack Daniel's team and Clint Bowyer
will move to its new #33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper team for the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season. With focus on having all three current RCR teams making the 2008 Chase for the Championship, RCR will continue its on-going process of evaluating team performance throughout the year to determine the crew chief, engineer and crew member lineups for the 2009 season.
"We're always looking for ways to improve RCR and feel strongly that this driver lineup will improve our company as a whole with our move to four teams next year," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. "These changes will continue to raise the bar and we have every intention of getting all four teams into the Chase in 2009 with the ultimate goal of one of our teams winning the championship. RCR is very fortunate to have partners like Jack Daniel's, Shell-Pennzoil and AT&T, in addition to new sponsors Cheerios, Hamburger Helper and Caterpillar, that work with us and support our making the competition decisions necessary to provide them with the best on-track performance possible."
Mears will join RCR for his seventh season of Sprint Cup Series competition. The Bakersfield, Calif., native earned a dramatic victory in the
2007 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway and also has three poles to his credit. "This is a great opportunity and I'm honored to become part of both the Jack Daniel's family and the RCR family," said Mears. "Richard Childress and everyone at Jack Daniel's have put a lot of faith in me to continue the winning tradition that's been established by the #07 Jack Daniel's team over the last couple of years and I look forward to the chance to live up to those expectations." Jack Daniel's has been a primary sponsor partner of RCR since its first year
of involvement in NASCAR in 2005. The Jack Daniel's Distillery, located in Lynchburg, Tenn., is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. "We thank our friend Clint Bowyer for all of his efforts to bring Jack Daniel's and our responsibility message to the forefront. We remain committed to Clint and are excited to watch him race his way in to the Chase in the #07 and vie for a 2008 Championship," said Tim Rutledge, VP, Brand Director, Jack Daniel's Americas. "We look forward to providing our support to Casey Mears, the Jack Daniel's Racing team, and our responsibility message in 2009. Casey is a seasoned veteran that is primed for great success in the #07 in 2009."
Bowyer, the current leader in the NASCAR Nationwide Series point standings, made his Cup Series debut in 2005 and has been with RCR since 2004 when he ran a partial Nationwide Series schedule. The Emporia, Kan., native has earned two victories and two poles since being named the full-time driver of the #07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet for the 2006 season. "I'm proud to be joining the General Mills family," said Bowyer. "Cheerios and Hamburger Helper are brands my family and I grew up with. General Mills is a great sponsor and has been in NASCAR for many years. I look forward to driving the Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet Impala SS to victory lane.At the same time, I have to thank Jack Daniel's for taking a chance on a rookie Cup Series driver and giving my career a great platform to build on. My focus
now is to get into the Chase and again compete for the championship."
The 2009 season will mark General Mills' 13th year of sponsorship involvement in NASCAR. Based in Minneapolis, Minn., General Mills is one of the world's leading food companies. "We are thrilled to welcome Clint as our new driver," said Pat Simmons, Vice President of Customer Marketing for General Mills. "Clint is a top-tier competitor. His performance on and off the track fit with the family-friendly
values that Cheerios and Hamburger Helper are known for. We're excited to build a winning partnership with RCR and Clint Bowyer."(RCR PR)(8-23-2008)
