WELCOME, N.C. — Richard Childress Racing is making changes within its NASCAR Xfinity Series leadership positions ahead of the 2023 season.
Danny Lawrence, whose career at RCR spans five decades, has been promoted to RCR’s managing director of team alliances and Xfinity operations, while Mike Shiplett is joining the organization to assume the role of Xfinity Series competition director.
“RCR has a winning history in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and these promotions position our organization to continue delivering championship-caliber success for our drivers, fans, partners and alliance teams,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of RCR. “We’d like to thank Danny Lawrence for his many years of service to RCR, and his efforts in developing young talent at all levels of our organization. Danny’s leadership is appreciated and will continue to be pivotal to our program. We’d also like to welcome Mike Shiplett to RCR. We’re looking forward to the knowledge and expertise he brings along.”
In Lawrence’s new role, he will manage RCR’s relationships with alliance partners while continuing to have overall business responsibility for RCR’s Xfinity Series program. A long-time RCR employee, Lawrence first joined the organization in the early 1980s and has played an integral part of the race team’s overall success and 16 championships, notably serving as chief engine builder for Dale Earnhardt from 1998-2001.
Shiplett joins RCR in the role of Xfinity Series competition director with years of experience as a crew chief at the highest levels of the sport, most recently working as crew chief for Cole Custer in the Cup Series at Stewart-Haas Racing. The Amherst, Ohio native has more than 400 starts as a crew chief across NASCAR’s top-three series, including 24 wins in the Xfinity Series.
“Mike Shiplett brings a wealth of experience to RCR’s NASCAR Xfinity Series program and I’m excited to welcome him to our organization and looking forward to continuing our winning tradition at RCR,” said Lawrence.
RCR will contest the full Xfinity Series schedule with returning drivers Sheldon Creed and Austin Hill.