Richard Childress Racing has scheduled an announcement for their 2014 plans on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 11 at the RCR facilities in Welcome, NC. It is expected that they will announce Austin Dillons move to Sprint Cup and the return of the #3 Chevy.(12-4-2013) UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing has scheduled a press conference for noon Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where NASCAR Sprint Cup testing will take place following two days of rain delays. According to multiple sources, Austin Dillon, grandson of team owner Richard Childress, will be named as the driver of one of the RCR Chevrolet SS Sprint Cup cars. And his car will carry the #3, the number Dillon used while competing in the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck series, but one that has been absent from the Cup series since the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001. A team spokesman contacted by FOXSports.com would confirm only that Wednesdays press conference was about the teams 2014 plans and would include at least one sponsor announcement. Rumored but unconfirmed sponsors for the #3 include Dow Chemical, which has a long history with RCR, General Mills and Jack Daniels. Dillon, the reigning Nationwide champion and 2011 Truck series title winner, has already acknowledged hes moving up to the Sprint Cup Series in 2014.( FoxSports ) AND folks can watch the press conference at nascar.com . UPDATE2 Austin Dillon, a champion in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will compete full-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series beginning in 2014 driving for Richard Childress Racing . Dillon joins Paul Menard, who will drive the #27 Menards Chevrolet with crew chief ‘Slugger” Labbe, and Ryan Newman, who will drive the #31 Caterpillar/Quicken Loans/Wix Filters Chevrolet with crew chief Luke Lambert, as full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers under the RCR banner in 2014. The Welcome, N.C., organization has invested significant resources in its competition and engineering departments to prepare for the 2014 season. Many of these changes were spearheaded by the additions of Dr. Eric Warren (director of competition) and Mark McCardle (director of racing operations) to the organization, along with the recent addition of Mike Coughlan (technical director). Dillons program will be led by crew chief Gil Martin, a 13-year veteran of the organization who led Kevin Harvick to six chase berths. It also marks the highly anticipated return of the #3 to Sprint Cup Series competition. Dow (supposedly the primary for 16 races) and General Mills Cheerios brand will be the primary brands featured on the #3 Chevrolet SS throughout the season. ‘My grandfather and everyone at RCR have done a great job of not pushing me too quickly into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ said Dillon. ‘I feel like Ive been able to spend adequate time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series preparing for this next step in my career. I am thrilled to be making this move with partners like Dow and Cheerios, along with some long-time partners who have supported me and RCR throughout my career. I am truly grateful and looking forward to this opportunity.” The program between RCR and Dow is driven by several Dow businesses that are directly involved in R&D projects and strategic business and relationship opportunities unique to the NASCAR community. ‘We see this as a great opportunity to partner with a historic team like Richard Childress Racing that is synonymous with success, integrity and championships, and a championship driver in Austin Dillon’ said Joe Harlan, executive vice president of Dow. ‘Austins winning passion is representative of Dow. Our employees and customers were very supportive of our debut into our partnership with RCR during 2013 and they are looking forward to continued involvement with Austin next year. Dows technology-focused, market-driven, customer-centric organization aligns perfectly with the performance-driven values of RCR and NASCAR. We look forward to being a part of Austins rookie NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and continued success in NASCAR.” General Mills is entering its 17th year in NASCAR and its sixth year with RCR. They began their association with Dillon last year when the Minneapolis, MN.-based company used its Honey Nut Cheerios brand to help Dillon make his inaugural Daytona 500 start. Today, Cheerios launched the @CheerThe3 communities on Facebook and Twitter so fans can access exclusive content and share their excitement around Austin and the #3 race team. ‘With Austin Dillons success in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, were proud to continue our support of Austin, a proven winner and passionate driver’ said Gregg Dorazio, manager of shopper marketing and motorsports for General Mills. ‘He shares many of the same values as the Cheerios brand and has a bright future in the sport. Were excited to join him in this next step in his career. Were also proud to continue our partnership with RCR and continue our heritage in the sport.” In addition to Dow and Cheerios, several long-time partners associated with RCR and Dillon will join him as he moves to full-time competition in the Sprint Cup Series including Realtree Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops, American Ethanol and the University of Northwestern Ohio.( RCR ) See images of the #3 Dow and Cheerios Chevy, see my #3 Team Schemes page .
