Ten Questions With Richard Childress

[hanaylor]

There are not too many names in racing today as well known as Richard Childress. His storied career as a racer and team owner is known to most NASCAR fans. His years as team owner saw the development of a dynasty in the Dale Earnhardt years, winning seven Winston Cup championships for Richard Childress Racing (RCR).



With the loss of Earnhardt at Daytona in 2001, RCR had a few tough years but now they are back, stronger than ever with a three car organization. Each car has a driver, crew chief and team members that can win any given race on any given day. It has been a stellar turnaround and the real winners are the fans who will see strong performances from the RCR stables now and into the foreseeable future.

Power & Performance: How did you get started in racing?
Richard Childress: I got started when I was a kid racing at the Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston Salem, NC. I got a $20 taxi and put roll bars and other stuff in it and went racing. It was a $99 claim division – we had fun.

P&P: Who was your biggest influence in racing?
R.C.: It’s hard to name just one. There are so many that have been an influence to me, but I guess if I had to point to one person it would be Bill France Jr. He influenced a lot of us early in our racing careers.

P&P: What is your most memorable moment racing?
R.C.: I really can’t name one. I could maybe narrow it down to three: our first Winston Cup win was one. Ricky Rudd was driving. Another would be our first Winston Cup Championship, which came with Dale Earnhardt driving. Of course, the other one is Dale’s Daytona 500 win.

P&P: Your teams have become a racing icon, what makes your cars better?
R.C.: It’s the people that we deal with. When I think about our engine program, it's people like Scooter Brothers and his group at COMP Cams® that have helped make the difference. I remember years ago we flew over to Memphis and they gave us help. We never forgot it. It has been their cams and valve train stuff that’s been instrumental in the success of our engines.

P&P: Your teams have seen a rebirth this year. What made it happen?
R.C.: There are several things. We have a lot of new people and we’ve beefed up our R&D programs, for both engine and chassis. We have made a lot of personnel changes that have gone in the right direction. Another thing is that we now have three drivers and three crew chiefs working really well together.

P&P: If you were not doing this, what would you be doing?
R.C.: I would probably be doing stuff in real estate, or I might like to do stuff in the outfitter business.

P&P: If you had a conversation with anyone living or dead, who would it be and why?
R.C.: It would be with my dad. He passed away when I was five and I never knew him. If I had the chance, I would like to talk with him.

P&P: What do you like about being in racing?
R.C.: I really like the thrill of the sport. It’s also about being around the fans. The fans are great.

P&P: What is the biggest change you have seen in NASCAR?
R.C.: Without question it’s been the growth of the sport and the technology.

P&P: What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a team owner in Cup racing?
R.C.: Stay the hell out of it! No really, just know what you are getting into. Know the business before you do it. There is so much to this business, and you have to be sure it’s what you want to do.

P&P: Where do you think NASCAR is headed?
R.C.: Over the next ten years, I think they will be much bigger as a sport. I think things like the “car of tomorrow” will make for better and more exciting competition. The TV package will improve and I also believe we will see more international competition making NASCAR a worldwide sport. We will probably see another track or two in the United States.