Lead Lap's NASCAR News » Richard Childress

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.

Dillon Will Never Be More Than ‘Driver Of The 3′

Michael J Smith — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 05:29:28 +0000

In a 10-day span, we saw Dale Earnhardt Jr drive the No. 3 Wrangler Chevy to victory lane in the Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeño 250 at Daytona International Speedway and we saw Austin Dillon, grandson of owner Richard Childress, drive the black No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevy to victory lane in the Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 200 at Iowa Speedway.

As I watched Dale Jr drive that famed No. 3 to the front and take the checkered flag, I was emotional. It was an incredible sight to see a man who has been scrutinized so heavily due to his lackluster results in the Sprint Cup Series go out and honor his father with a win. More impressive when you consider that he hasn’t won a Nationwide Series race in four years. Everything seemed right with the NASCAR world.

Fast-forward 10 days…

As I watched Austin Dillon take the checkered flag in the famed No. 3, I wasn’t emotional. I wasn’t connected to it. As a matter of fact, I felt more upset than anything else.

I have nothing against Austin Dillon – I don’t know much about him. Nor do I have anything against Richard Childress deciding to let his grandson run the legendary number — it’s his number to use as he sees fit, and it’s the number he drove before Dale Sr drove it.

But something about seeing someone not named Earnhardt drive the No. 3 in one of NASCAR’s top three series didn’t feel right — seeing that person drive to victory made it even more unsettling.

If Dale Sr retired, I wouldn’t be writing this column. If he had passed on due to natural causes, I wouldn’t be writing this. But he didn’t. He died doing what he loved, in a car that he made famous, at a track that he battled through his entire career. And that makes his connection to the No. 3 special. In some ways, it’s more than just a number.

And, putting Austin Dillon in a truck with that number is like putting a target on his back. It’s almost ensuring that he will never be judged as Austin Dillon. I don’t think he’ll ever be able to get out of that number’s shadow.

David Newton, of ESPN, wrote in a column:

Let Dillon be Dillon, not Dillon the driver of the 3. If Richard Childress wants his grandson in the 3, then let him be without all the Earnhardt hubbub. … He’s just carrying on the family tradition that began when Childress took the number in 1976 and drove it for six years before turning it over to Earnhardt late in the 1981 season.

Again, I think the Childress should use the number as he sees fit. He has the rights to it. But, given the way Dale Earnhardt Sr died, and his seemingly eternal connection to that number, it seems certain that anyone running the number not named Earnhardt will forever be known as “driver of the 3.”

Why would Childress want that for his grandson?

At this point, I don’t think it’s as big of a deal. Seeing a No. 3 — a black No. 3 — in the Camping World Truck Series is not like seeing one in the Nationwide Series or the Sprint Cup Series. Seeing a truck with the famed three on the track doesn’t elicit the same kind of emotion that seeing a car with that number on the track will.

And, if Dillon doesn’t perform up to that number’s reputation, it’s sure to subject him to more scrutiny than any rookie that’s come before him. Again, why would Childress want that kind of pressure for his grandson?

I hope at some point Childress will realize that the No. 3 is a liability more than it is an asset, and will decide to run Dillon in another number. If he doesn’t, I think Dillon will always be “driver of the 3.”

So, if in the future Childress decides to run Dillon in the No. 3 in N’Wide or Cup, Dillon will not be judged on his own merits, as Newton hopes. He never will as long as he has that number. He’ll always be “driver of the 3.”

The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lead-Lap.com.

Report: Harvick Re-signs With RCR

Michael J Smith — Fri, 21 May 2010 18:10:01 +0000

SceneDaily is reporting that Richard Childress Racing and Kevin Harvick may have reached an agreement on a contract extension that will keep Harvick in the No. 29 Chevy beyond the 2010 season. An official announcement is expected Saturday before the All Star race.

Earlier this month, team owner Richard Childress said that he hoped to have Harvick re-signed by the end of May. Harvick, however, sidestepped a question about contract talks during a media session at Dover International Speedway.

Last July, it was reported that Harvick asked to be let out of his RCR contract. At that time, rumors were circulating that Harvick wanted to take Shell/Pennzoil with him to Stewart Haas Racing in a third car.

But, last month Kasey Kahne signed with Hendrick Motorsports, despite HMS having a full stable of drivers signed through 2011. Rumors began circulating that Kahne would spend 2011 in a HMS-backed car due to the lack of an open seat at HMS. That limits Kahne’s options to Stewart Haas Racing, Phoenix Racing, and Furniture Row Racing.

With PR being put up for sale by team owner James Finch, and FRW not even being mentioned as an option, many believe Kahne will end up at SHR for one year, despite representatives for SHR saying that they have not had any discussions with HMS reps about Kahne.

That coupled with SHR’s recent struggles may have removed SHR from the Harvick running, as Tony Stewart, owner of SHR, is not likely to be thinking about expansion to four teams when his current two-car operation is struggling.

Further fueling speculation that Harvick would leave RCR was the news that Shell/Pennzoil decided to leave the team and head to Penske Racing and driver Kurt Busch.

Still, the news that Harvick is likely to have signed an extension with RCR is not very surprising. Early this year, I wrote an article indicating the four teams that realistically had a shot of landing Kahne — I did not include HMS because they had a full stable through the end of next year.

From that article, Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 00, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s No. 1, Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 11, Richard Childress Racing’s No. 29, Front Row Motorsports’ No. 34, Tommy Baldwin Racing’s No. 36, TRG Motorsports’ No. 71, Red Bull Racing’s No. 82, and Robert Yates Racing/Richard Petty Motorsports’ No. 98 could have open seats at the end of this season.

The Nos. 00, 1, and 11 are more than likely going to re-sign their current drivers. MWR is currently working on an extension for David Reutimann. It would be hard to imagine Earnhardt Ganassi Racing or Joe Gibbs Racing would release Jamie McMurray or Denny Hamlin, respectively, given the way both of them are running.

That leaves the Nos. 34, 36, 71, 82, and 98 as potential open seats. The No. 98 isn’t likely to lose Paul Menard as a driver because if they cut ties with him, it’s extremely likely that his sponsor Menards, which is owned by his father, will leave with him. That would effectively end that team, if another sponsor could be found.

Assuming Scott Speed is out of the No. 82 — and there’s nothing to indicate that this is the case — that would have been the most competitive team with an available seat. But, considering the No. 82 is a Toyota, it’s unlikely Harvick would have gone there because of his interests in Chevy with his Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series teams.

That leaves the relatively uncompetitive teams of the Nos. 34, 36, and 71. If for no other reason, it is highly unlikely Harvick would have even considered these rides as they would be a step down for him. Those teams are working on shoestring budgets and are in building mode. They are not yet close enough to competitive to be able to attract a driver of Harvick’s caliber.

Had he been interesting in going the same route as Tony Stewart, buying an interest in an underfunded team and turning it into a contender, perhaps he would have considered these teams. But that doesn’t seem to be the case.

At the end of the day, Harvick looked at the available seats out there and determined that no situation — including a brand new team — would give him as much of a chance to win as RCR. So, if the reports are true and Harvick did in fact sign an extension with RCR, it comes as no surprise.

Harvick, Childress Have Discussed Extension

Michael J Smith — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:15:08 +0000

SceneDaily is reporting that Kevin Harvick has discussed the possibility of returning to Richard Childress Racing with team owner Richard Childress. But, he hasn’t decided whether or not he will return. SceneDaily indicates he is leaning towards re-signing with RCR, but Harvick’s quotes don’t clearly state that.

RCR Tire Changer Dies From H1N1 Complications

Michael J Smith — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:27:42 +0000

Donald DJ Richardson, rear-tire changer of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 29 Chevy, passed away on Christmas Day from complications from the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. Richardson contracted the virus over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Richardson was taken to the hospital in Leominster, Mass. where he was diagnosed as suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Team owner Richard Childress said:

All of us at RCR are saddened by D.J.’s passing. D.J. was a gifted tire changer, one of the greatest team players in the business and a valued member of the RCR family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Richardson joined RCR in the middle of this season, after stints at Andy Petree Racing, Penske Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Braun Racing.

Matt Clark, of RCR, said:

I am shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of our friend and teammate. Anyone who knew DJ realized that below the tough exterior was a caring father, friend and teammate. He had a huge heart and would do anything to help someone in need. DJ loved changing tires and was recognized as one of the top pit athletes at the position. I want to extend my condolences to his family and friends.

Tire Issues For Earnhardt Jr. Again

RCR Will Field Fourth Car At 2010 Daytona 500

Michael J Smith — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:07:38 +0000

Layoffs have begun at Richard Childress Racing, as the team prepares to shut down its No. 07 team after sponsor Jack Daniels left, according to SPEEDtv.

A team official said that “fewer than a dozen” employees had been let go in anticipation of the closing.

NASCAR.com, however, reported that a source said:

[W]e’re still aiming towards fielding [the No. 07] car full-time in 2010. Because we have everything in place to compete with that team at a high level, we’re in a position to hold out [on layoffs] longer than we might have, otherwise and maintain all the full-time personnel we had assigned to it until early next year, at least.

RCR plans to field the No. 07 Chevy in the 2010 Daytona 500. At this point, it seems to be a one-race deal, but more races for the car could be added if sponsorship is found.

Team owner Richard Childress indicated that the team could wait until as late as mid-January to make a decision on whether or not to close the No. 07.

Casey Mears finished the season 21st in points, and the car is guaranteed a starting spot in the 500 for that reason. Mears will pilot the car at Daytona this year, unless he lands a full-time ride. Mears has been linked to Phoenix Racing’s No. 09.

There has also been a rumor that Paul Menard could move into the No. 07, bringing with him a full year of sponsorship (Menards).

RCR will have to find a crew chief to replace Doug Randolph, who recently left the team to become the crew chief for TRG Motorsports’ No. 71, and driver Bobby Labonte.

RCR says it is still in talks with several potential sponsors, and hopes to secure full-time sponsorship.

EGR Sticking With Chevy

Michael J Smith — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:16:02 +0000

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing is staying with Chevrolet next season, after considering a switch to Toyota, according to FoxSports. Richard Childress, which helps supply engines to EGR, and Toyota reportedly gave EGR an ultimatum to decide on a make for next season. They chose to stick with Chevy.

Childress: Harvick, Shell Under Contract For 2010

Michael J Smith — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:00:55 +0000

Richard Childress issued a statement reiterating that Kevin Harvick and Shell/Pennzoil are under contract with RCR until 2010. Yesterday, it was reported that Harvick wants out of his contract, so he can join Stewart Haas Racing with Shell/Pennzoil.

CGR, MWR To Merge?

Michael J Smith — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:02:11 +0000

Chip Ganassi Racing is said to be looking to merge with another team to stay in NASCAR. The team shut down the Dario Franchitti’s No. 40 team, laying off 71 employees in the process. The team is also losing Reed Sorenson next season to Gillett Evernham Motorsports.

Michael Waltrip Racing, which has already lost UPS as a sponsor, has been struggling too. Aaron’s Rent re-signed with the team to sponsor David Reutimann’s car for half of next season. This team is trying to secure sponsorship for the rest of the season for that car.

So, the two teams could possibly merge next season. That would mean that the combined team would filed four cars, and Juan Pablo Montoya would drive a Toyota.

This move is not all too suprising. Many NASCAR teams are struggling financially, and with the economy in the state it is currently in, sponsors have to reevaluate if it is worth the cash to stay in the sport. Carmakers are reconsidering, as well.

Dodge pulled its factory support from the Craftsman Truck Series, and it is hard to believe that if things don’t improve for an extended period of time, they will stay in the Nationwide or Sprint Cup series.

With the exception of Kasey Kahne’s two victories, and Ryan Newman’s one, the team has struggled immensely, putting no cars in the Chase. Not to mention the fact that Dodge isn’t known for its small, fuel-efficient vehicles. The carmaker is struggling to attract consumers, which is why all other makes are beating it, in terms of sales.

So, in a year, if things haven’t fully recovered, I would question Dodge’s committment to the sport. I’m pretty sure Chip Ganassi Racing would be.

I always wondered how Michael Waltrip could afford a three car race team. He hasn’t exactly been raking in the dough with good finishes. He never signed a huge contract, though at Dale Earnhard Inc. he did win a few races. Still, he doesn’t seem to have that much money. I know NAPA, UPS, and Aaron’s Rent probably kick in a good portion of the money, but still. He doesn’t have Richard Childress, or Rick Hendrick money. So, a merger would make sense.

The Rumor Mill

Michael J Smith — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:17:07 +0000

NASCAR.com‘s Joe Menzer is reporting some very interesting things in his One Menz Opinion column this week.

He is reporting that Reed Sorenson may be out of the Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 41 Dodge at the end of the season.

He wrote:

Sorenson appears to have sealed his fate by missing at least one very important sponsorship appearance, combined with lackluster performances on the track, and by what some Ganassi employees see as lack of dedication by a talented driver who may have been given too much too soon and won’t appreciate that fact until he’s on the street looking for his next ride.

Menzer also has some interesting info on Casey Mears’ situation. As reported, Mears does appear to be on his way out of Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 5 Chevy. But, Menzer writes that he seems to be headed to Richard Childress Racing’s fourth car to be sponsored by General Mills.

Commenting on the situation surrounding the U.S. Army sponsorship he writes:

[Do] you think the U.S. Army is going to plaster its logo all over the front of the Toyotas that are fielded by Red Bull [Racing] or [Bill Davis Racing]? It’s just not going to happen.

The column also covers Tony Stewart’s situation at Joe Gibbs Racing and the rumors surrounding Haas CNC, and Mark Martin’s situation at Dale Earnhardt Inc. and the potential move to Hendrick, where he may share a seat with Brad Keselowski.

A very interesting column and worth the read.