Thomas Chemris
Richard Childress Racing announced it would continue its relationship with GM Goodwrench though the 2006 season.
The relationship between the sponsor and the car owner has existed since 1988, becoming legendary through the driving of the late Dale Earnhardt. GM Goodwrench was on board for four of his seven Cup Championships, and his elusive Daytona 500 win. "It's really an honor for us at GM Service Parts Operations, and specifically GM Goodwrench, to continue this
sponsorship. The longest primary sponsorship in NASCAR history.” Notes Rick Labelle, General Sales Manager, GM Parts.
Also renewing with RCR through 2006 is 2001 Rookie of The Year Kevin Harvick. Harvick, who finished his rookie season in the top ten, was bitten by a sophomore jinx in 2002,Finishing twenty- first in the overall standings. The teams disappointing performance fueled speculation that Harvick had limited job security, and linked him shopping with several teams including Robert Yates Racing. Harvick addressed those issues. "Richard and I actually get along great and our sponsor is not going anywhere. Our team is not going anywhere. I've heard a lot of that lately. It's good to just put an end to all of it. We can really concentrate on what we need to concentrate on. We're excited. I'm excited. We're looking forward to the rest of the year and the future to build on what we've got”.
Harvick believes that the difficulty the team experienced helped to clarify roles and expectations between the owner and himself. “I never had any intentions of really going anywhere else. We had our one little chat and that's really the only time
we've ever sat down and had a have a heart-to-heart. Over the past year, I think myself and Richard have become closer and I understand a lot more of what he wants out of me and what it takes to try to be successful.”
Richard Childress states he ignored the speculation, and views any interest in Harvick as a reflection as his caliber as a driver. “As far as somebody looking at him, every owner out there should be looking at him and they do. He's a talented driver and he can get
the job done. I'd say, even with this, people would still look at you. That's
the way racing is." Said the team owner. After four races in 2003 Harvick and the team is currently seventh in the overall points.
Richard Childress has been a team owner in NASCAR since 1972 it remains the only owner in NASCAR to have won Championship titles in all three of it’s major division (Craftsman Trucks, Busch Grand National, and Winston Cup). Combined Childress drivers have earned 73 Winston Cup wins. Sadly, hours after Childress announced he renewed with GM and Harvick, he received word that his mother, Virginia Hodge, passed away at the age of 79.
Childress left Atlanta Motor speedway to be with his family.
RCR teams left Atlanta finishing with Robbie Gordon seventeenth, Kevin Harvick, nineteenth, and Jeff Green in twenty-fifth.
