By 1986, the first championship was in the bag, followed by five more through 1994.
One of their greatest victories came on Feb. 15, 1998, the day Earnhardt finally won the elusive Daytona 500.
“That day was really special for sure,” Childress said. “We won the Daytona 495 or Daytona 499 several times but couldn’t get to the checkered flag. To finally win the Daytona 500 in 1998 was so important to have it on Dale’s résumé,” Childress said. “I knew how badly he wanted it. He had won absolutely everything else there was to win at Daytona but just couldn’t get the 500. For him to finally win it was a very big deal.”
Earnhardt amassed 67 of his 76 career victories with RCR, as well as Cup Series championships in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94. Earnhardt’s first championship came with team owner Osterlund in 1980.
Sadly, the Kannapolis, N.C., native lost his life during the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, leaving Childress, RCR and millions of Earnhardt’s fans in shock, sadness and disbelief.
Childress came very close to closing the doors of RCR, but thought of a heartfelt conversation he and Earnhardt shared years earlier.
“That night (Feb. 18, 2001), I told my wife (Judy) we were getting out,” Childress said. “The next day, I still had my mind made up that we were getting out. I got to thinking about that hunting trip in New Mexico when I fell off the horse on the mountain (and was badly injured). I told Dale had I not made it off the mountain he would have had to go on to Phoenix the next week and race. He told me if something ever happened to him for me to race. That was our deal.
“I knew that’s what Dale wanted and I knew that’s what he would have done had that happened to me. I know we’re doing what he wanted us to do and that is to carry on. He would be happy.”
Following Earnhardt’s death, Childress had the famous black No. 3 painted white and changed to No. 29. He promoted up-and-coming Xfinity Series driver Kevin Harvick to drive the car at North Carolina Speedway, where he finished 14th.
Two weeks later, Harvick won at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“I think that’s what the race fans needed right then,” Childress said. “That was Dale’s car. I can’t think of anyone that could have jumped in that car and carry the load Kevin carried and then go out and win his third race in his car, which was then Kevin’s car.”
Since 2001, RCR has collected 37 Cup Series victories, including the 2018 Daytona 500 when Childress’ oldest grandson, Austin Dillon, triumphed.
Reminded that the famed old oak tree is no longer there, Childress laughed and said, “I didn’t think I would live to be 50 with my lifestyle some of those days. But I made it and the reason is because of a lot of great people and great sponsors around me. Who would have ever dreamed RCR would be 50 years old? I still love coming to every race.
“Only in America could a kid with a $20 race car be here 50 years later and still be involved in racing.”
Richard Childress Racing is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout this season with drivers Dillon and Daniel Hemric competing in the Cup Series.