Richard Childress Reflects on His Favorite Story About Dale Earnhardt
Richard Childress, the legendary NASCAR team owner, has shared his favorite story about the late Dale Earnhardt. The story dates back to their first meeting at the Metrolina Speedway in 1974. Childress, who was still an independent driver at the time, won an exhibition Cup race, beating out Earnhardt Sr. and Cale Yarborough.
In his acceptance speech at the 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame ceremony, Childress fondly recalled the encounter. He remembered Earnhardt walking up to him after the race, poking him in the chest, and saying, “Next time I race with you, I will win.” Childress described this moment as the beginning of their long-lasting friendship.
Their friendship eventually led to Earnhardt joining Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in 1984. During his time at RCR, Earnhardt went on to win six more Cup Series championships in the iconic No. 3 car.
However, Childress revealed that signing Earnhardt was a make-or-break moment for RCR. In a 2019 interview, Childress admitted that he had to risk everything to bring Earnhardt on board. He borrowed everything he could to make the deal work, knowing that if it failed, it could mean the end of RCR.
Childress’s gamble paid off, and Earnhardt’s success at RCR cemented the team’s status as a NASCAR powerhouse. Earnhardt competed for the Chevy roster for almost 17 years before his tragic death at the 2001 Daytona 500 race.
Childress’s story serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Dale Earnhardt and the importance of taking risks in pursuit of greatness. The friendship and partnership between Childress and Earnhardt will always be remembered as one of the most successful and iconic in NASCAR history.
