Daytona Beach, Florida (January 29, 2016) - The Motorsports Hall of Fame announced today that Richard Childress, chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, was nominated to its 2016 class of inductees. Childress is one of seven individuals scheduled to be inducted into the hall of fame which honors and preserves the achievements of the greatest legends of motorsports on land, sea and in the air.
"This is a special honor to be recognized by the Motorsports Hall of Fame," Childress said. "To be part of the first class inducted at the newly renovated Daytona International Speedway will be unique and the racers enshrined in this hall of fame are from across the entire motorsports world. I want to thank Ron Watson and all of the Motorsports Hall of Fame's board members for considering me for this prestigious award."
Childress has accumulated more than 100 victories in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and more than 200 wins in NASCAR's top three touring series as owner of RCR. With driver Dale Earnhardt and the legendary No. 3 car, Childress won Sprint Cup championships in 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994. He has also recorded multiple driver and owner championships in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Childress is also a two-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998 and 2007).
The induction is set for Wednesday, June 29 at the newly renovated Daytona International Speedway prior to the Coke Zero 400 race weekend. The Motorsports Hall of Fame is currently moving its facilities into the "World Center of Racing" after spending more than two decades in Detroit, Michigan. The move to DIS concurrent with the completion of the $400 million DAYTONA Rising redevelopment project will expose thousands of new racing fans to the wide range of American motorsports.
"Richard Childress being inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America the same year the Hall moves to Daytona International Speedway - talk about the stars aligning," said Motorsports Hall of Fame president Ron Watson. "It's so appropriate that in the city where NASCAR began, one of NASCAR's true legendary figures will be honored in this manner. We are so proud to have him join our illustrious list of inductees."
Some notable current members of the MHOF include former RCR driver, Dale Earnhardt; legendary Indy Car drivers Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt and Rick Mears; and NASCAR greats Junior Johnson, Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace and Cale Yarborough.
For more information about the Motorsports Hall of Fame, its museum and members, visit mshf.com. For more information about today's announcement, visit rcrracing.com.
About Motorsports Hall of Fame of America:The non-profit Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is the nation's premier motorsports hall of fame. It is the only hall of fame that covers t
he full spectrum of American motorsports: cars, motorcycles, off-road, powerboats and planes, and is further distinguished by being the only hall of fame that is independent of any controlling group or sanctioning body. Over 200 of the greatest names in American motorsports have already been inducted. On June 29, 2016 we will hold our 28th annual induction ceremony. In 2016, too, the MSHFA will open its new museum at the Daytona International Speedway-home to America's most important stock car, sports car and motorcycle races-as part of the $400 million DAYTONA Rising project.Richard Childress Racing (rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. RCR has earned more than 200 victories and 15 championships, including six in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Its 2016 Sprint Cup S
eries lineup includes two-time NASCAR champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Dow/American Ethanol/Cheerios Chevrolet), 2011 Brickyard 400 champion Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet) and 2008 Daytona 500 champion and 2013 Brickyard 400 winner Ryan Newman (No. 31 Caterpillar/ WIX Filters/Grainger Chevrolet). Its XFINITY Series program includes a multi-driver lineup with Austin Dillon and Paul Menard (No. 2 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet), 2012 Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year Ty Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Rheem/WESCO/Red Kap Chevrolet), Rookie of the Year contender Brandon Jones (No. 33 Menards/Nexteer Chevrolet) and Brendan Gaughan (No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino/WIX Filters Chevrolet).
