By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
In today’s society, people are unable to settle in one job or career.
For Richard Childress, auto racing has been part of his life for the last 50 years.
Getting to the 50th year is something Childress never thought would be a possibility.
However, thanks to the drivers, team personnel and fans, Childress has been able to continue in the sport he loves.
“Hell, I never thought I would live to be 50 much less be racing 50th. I started racing at Bowman Gray in 1963. I think I was 17 or 18 years old,” Childress stated at the 50th Anniversary Celebration.
“To still be around and be here today is a tribute to all the people that I have been fortunate to be around with great drivers and team and to the race fans that push us week in and week out to do good for them.”
While racing has been a primary part of his life, his empire extends into being an entrepreneur and various causes.
Outside of owning a successful Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series team, the 73-year-old owns Childress Vineyards, established the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, and serves with various wildlife conservation organization.
With all of his extracurricular activities outside of racing, Childress relies on a core team of executive staff to run RCR while he is away.
“I was fortunate enough to find Torrey Galida, bringing in Andy Petree, Dr. Eric Warren, Mike Dillon, Richie Gilmore; it is about the people that I have been able to surround myself with and put the trust in them to do things and me still be here. I am here every day that I am in town. I do have other things that I have going on, but at the end of the day, racing is the number one for me,” he said.
Over the past 50 years, Childress has seen numerous leadership changes within NASCAR. With some believing the sport is in for “doom and gloom”, does Childress still feel positive about the direction and future of the sport?
“I do. I think having Jim France back in there. The future is Ben Kennedy. I have been around and have seen the change in the sport from Bill Sr. to Bill Jr. to Brian and on down the line, but there are going to be some great things going on in NASCAR. I think you are going to see some of the best shows next year that you’ve ever seen with the new racing package.”
As he enters into his 50th year, Childress is looking towards having more success in the years to come.