Lead Lap's NASCAR News » Richard Childress Racing

RCR, RfJ Team Up To Form Shepherd Racing Ventures

Michael J Smith — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:07:38 +0000

Richard Childress Racing and Morgan Shepherd’s Racing for Jesus have teamed up to form Shepherd Racing Ventures, a partnership to run the No. 21 Nationwide Series Chevy for the remainder of the Nationwide season.

The new entity will allow RCR and RfJ to both field the No. 21 Chevy in N’Wide events using a combination of equipment and crewmen. The deal will also allow both teams to use the points and number in 2011, as well.

Clint Bowyer is slated to drive the No. 21 in four more N’Wide events this season, with the car and crew coming from the RCR stable. In the other seven N’Wide events, Shepherd will drive the car, with equipment and crew coming from the RfJ stable.

RPM Signs Ambrose; Stanley To Sponsor Him

Michael J Smith — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:43:43 +0000

Richard Petty Motorsports announced today that Marcos Ambrose will drive the team’s No. 9 car in 2011, replacing the departing Kasey Kahne, who is leaving to drive for Red Bull Racing in 2011 while he waits for a seat to open up at Hendrick Motorsports.

Ambrose will be sponsored by Stanley Black & Decker, which was rumored to be leaving to team to follow Elliott Sadler to another team. Sadler announced last month that he was leaving the team at season’s end. There have been reports that RPM is interested in bringing him back, though.

Kahne announced in April that he signed a deal with Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. But, because HMS has four drivers under contract for 2011, Kahne was left without a ride.

Speculation began that Mark Martin would be asked to step aside so that Kahne could drive the No. 5 in 2011. Martin maintained that he would be in the No. 5 next season, leading to speculation and rumors about where Kahne would end up. He signed a one-year deal with RBR last week.

Last month, Ambrose also announced that he was leaving JTG Daugherty Racing at season’s end. At that time, he was instantly linked to RPM and the seat Kahne was vacating. Bobby Labonte was announced as Ambrose’s replacement at JTG.

With this news, RPM has two drivers under contract for 2011. Sadler is still looking to leave the team, and Paul Menard left the team to join Richard Childress Racing.

AJ Allmendinger signed a contract extension with RPM earlier this summer.

Team owner Richard Petty said:

Ambrose said:

Stanley Tools said:

Budweiser To Sponsor RCR’s No. 29, Harvick

Michael J Smith — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:15:32 +0000

Richard Childress Racing announced today that Budweiser will sponsor the team’s No. 29 Sprint Cup entry and driver Kevin Harvick in 2011, replacing Shell Pennzoil, which is leaving the team to sponsor Penske Racing and Kurt Busch.

Ever since Kasey Kahne announced that he signed a contract with Hendrick Motorsports, there was speculation that Budweiser would leave Richard Petty Motorsports. Harvick and RCR were one of the first teams linked to Budweiser. HMS was also rumored to have had discussions with Budweiser about a sponsorship opportunity.

But, as time went on, the rumors began focusing solely on Harvick and RCR. Earlier this month, Marty Smith wrote in his Door 2 Door column:

Sources tell me Harvick will have a split sponsorship on the No. 29 in 2011, and Budweiser will be on the car in the majority of points races, as well as the two exhibition events.

Budweiser will sponsor the No. 29 in 20 points-paying races and the Bud Shootout and the All Star race.

Harvick said:

Budweiser is one of the most respected sponsors in our sport. They do a lot to market their teams and the sport in television broadcasts and away from the track. I’m looking forward to driving the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet, taking it to Victory Lane and winning championships.

Team owner Richard Childress added:

Throughout his career, Kevin has shown he can win at any level in NASCAR. Combining his talent with Budweiser’s NASCAR lineage and proven track record of innovative sponsorship activations makes this an exciting pairing for fans everywhere. RCR prides itself on its heritage and authenticity, so working with a brand like Budweiser, which has built their reputation on those same values, is a very special opportunity.

Mark Wright of Anheuser-Busch said:

Budweiser’s involvement in NASCAR dates back more than three decades, and we’re excited to have as successful a driver as Kevin Harvick to usher in a new era for Budweiser. Kevin also benefits from having the support of a highly respected owner in Richard Childress and the great people of Richard Childress Racing, who will help put the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet in a position to challenge for Sprint Cup championships.

Almirola To Richard Petty Motorsports In 2011?

Michael J Smith — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:14:10 +0000

The NASCAR Insiders are reporting that Aric Almirola’s name has been mentioned as a potential candidate for one of Richard Petty Motorsports’ Fords next season.

AJ Allmendinger recently re-signed with the team. But, other than that, RPM has no drivers under contract for next season. Elliott Sadler announced he’d be leaving the team at season’s end. Kasey Kahne is leaving the team at season’s end, as he is slated to drive for Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. And, Paul Menard is said to be headed to Richard Childress Racing next season.

Marcos Ambrose has been rumored to be a candidate to fill Kahne’s vacant seat at RPM, but he could also end up in the seat vacated by Kahne. Ambrose announced he’d be leaving JTG Daugherty Racing at the end of the season. Bobby Labonte may replace Ambrose in JTG’s No. 47.

Report: Bud To RCR, Harvick Close To A Done Deal

Michael J Smith — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:29:20 +0000

In Marty Smith’s Door 2 Door column on ESPN.com, he answered a question about Kevin Harvick’s sponsorship for the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season.

He wrote:

Sources tell me Harvick will have a split sponsorship on the No. 29 in 2011, and Budweiser will be on the car in the majority of points races, as well as the two exhibition events. There are still some hurdles to jump to get the Bud deal done.

Of course, Richard Childress Racing has had no comment, and obviously won’t comment until a deal is official. But, an announcement is expected soon.

Harvick is losing his Shell Pennzoil sponsorship to Kurt Busch next season.

This rumor has been reported several times before, by ESPN, Frontstretch and AutoRacing1 (subscription required). It has also been reported that Budweiser spoke to Hendrick Motorsports about sponsoring one of its drivers.

Update: SceneDaily is reporting that sources said that officials from Anheuser Busch and Richard Childress Racing are near a deal that would put Budweiser on the No. 29 car for the 2011 season, with an announcement coming as early as next week.

Report: Menard Agrees In Principle To Drive For RCR

Michael J Smith — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:16:50 +0000

According to Fronstretch, Paul Menard has agreed in principle to drive a fourth Richard Childress Racing Chevy in 2011. His Menards sponsorship would move to RCR with him, as it is his father’s company. A crew number and crew chief are expected to be announced at a later date.

Nothing has been confirmed at this point.

Menard’s contract with Richard Petty Motorsports ends at the end of this season, but it has been reported that the team was working to bring him back.

Menard is in the midst of the best statistical season of his career. He has an average finish of 19.3 so far this season. Previously, his career best average finish was 23.1. He also has one top 5 and three top 10s this season. Before this season, he had never earned more than one top 5 or 10 in a season.

So, while many question whether or not Menard has the talent to drive in the Sprint Cup without his father’s sponsorship, he is improving. Whether or not he will continue his improvement at Richard Childress Racing remains to be seen.

Update: Richard Childress Racing announced that it has signed Menards to sponsor a fourth RCR Sprint Cup entry during the 2011 season with driver Paul Menard.

Team owner Richard Childress said:

Paul has developed into a very good race car driver, and we see his move to RCR next year as an opportunity for him to continue that progress. At the same time, we feel Paul will contribute to the continued progress and success of RCR. Paul will fit in perfectly with our team of drivers at RCR, and they are all looking forward to working with him. We’re also very proud to be aligned with Menards, one of the great family business success stories in American history.

Report: Allmendinger Signs Extension With RPM

Michael J Smith — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:39:01 +0000

FoxSports.com is reporting that AJ Allmendinger has signed a multi-year deal to stay with Richard Petty Motorsports behind the wheel of the No. 43 Ford. A formal announcement is expected Friday at Watkins Glen International.

Allmendinger will be the only driver RPM has under contract next season. Paul Menard, whose contract expires at the end of this season, could be headed to Richard Childress Racing. If he leaves, he will take his Menards sponsorship with him.

Elliott Sadler has already announced that he is leaving the team at season’s end. Rumor has it that Stanley Tools would go with him if he leaves. There are also rumors circulating that Best Buy would also go with him. Both of these have not yet been confirmed.

Kasey Kahne signed a deal with Hendrick Motorsports back in April. It’s unclear whether Budweiser would stay on, but rumors have that sponsorship moving to RCR and Kevin Harvick, who lost his Shell Pennzoil sponsorship to Penske Racing and driver Kurt Busch.

Marcos Ambrose is rumored to be the likely candidate to replace Kahne in the No. 9 car. But, he also didn’t rule out returning to Australia, walking away from NASCAR altogether, according to FoxSports.com.

Ambrose said:

I’ve spoken to a few people down there, and all have been well received, and it’s actually been in the papers and on national television over the last few days, you know, obviously not ruling out the possibilities of me returning and where I would potentially go. But my heart is in NASCAR to be honest with you. I’ve got unfinished business at this level of racing. I feel like I’ve become part of the sport but I haven’t become a contender on a weekly basis, and I feel like I’m really — if I left now, I would feel like I’ve got unfinished business.

RCR To Field Fourth Chevy With Menard As Driver?

Michael J Smith — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:05:40 +0000

Richard Childress Racing is said to be considering fielding a fourth Sprint Cup Chevy next season, according to ESPN. RCR is also in the process of finalizing a deal to run Kevin Harvick Inc.’s Nationwide Series program in 2011.

Under the deal, RCR would field two teams in the Camping World Truck Series, where Childress’ grandson Austin Dillon currently runs. RCR would also provide engines for KHI’s Nationwide cars, and RCR Cup drivers Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, and Kevin Harvick would run KHI’s N’Wide cars.

Meanwhile, there is increasing speculation that Paul Menard, whose contract with Richard Petty Motorsports expires at the end of this season, would drive the fourth RCR car in the Cup series. But, team owner Richard Childress would not comment on that.

RPM currently has no drivers under contract, but Marcos Ambrose, who is leaving JTG Daugherty Racing’s No. 47, is said to be a likely candidate to drive the No. 9 car being vacated by Kasey Kahne. He is also said to be in consideration for the No. 19, as Elliott Sadler announced that he is leaving the team at season’s end.

AJ Allmendinger is also said to be listening to offers from other teams, but RPM is confident that they will have Allmendinger back in the No. 43 car next season.

Terry Labonte To Run Three Cup Races This Season

Michael J Smith — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:44:14 +0000

Jayski is reporting via FoxSports.com that Terry Labonte will drive three races in a car fielded by Billy Stavola. Cars and engines will be provided by Richard Childress Racing. Labonte will drive Stavola Labonte Racing’s No. 10 car in the One Last Race To Make The Chase at Richmond International Raceway in September, the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October, and the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in November.

Budweiser To Richard Childress Racing, Harvick?

Michael J Smith — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:39:50 +0000

According to Matt McLaughlin’s Thinking Out Loud column on Frontstretch.com, Budweiser moving to Richard Childress Racing and driver Kevin Harvick appears to be “in the cards.” But, no source is given to indicate how and why McLaughlin came to that conclusion.

AutoRacing1.com (subscription required) reported the same rumor in June, but nothing has been confirmed or denied at this point.