NASCAR team owner promotes son-in-law as successor – Sports News
Richard Childress based RCR in 1969 (Image: Getty)
A nonetheless majority family-owned racing team will stay within the household for the time being, with Richard Childress Racing saying the promotion of its namesake’s son-in-law, Mike Dillon, to Chief Operating Officer.
Mike, who’s married to team founder, majority owner, and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard’s daughter, Tina, will now be answerable for the team’s “competition administrative functions,” as per a press release.
He has additionally been tasked with serving to the team transfer ahead “in all areas of performance and operations,” emphasizing the significance of each bringing in and holding the best expertise the industry has out there, forward of a main shift in NASCAR’s three national collection’ to a ‘Chase’ format, ditching the Playoffs.
The father of RCR driver Austin, and former RCR driver Ty, who at the moment drives for Kaulig Racing, Mike’s newest position marks the newest step in a profession path that has seen him tackle the roles of vice president of competitors, director of team operations, spotter, and even driver with the team.
He was additionally influential in launching O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Series team in 1995, going full-time in 2000 with each Mike and former Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick as the team’s representatives.
RCR COO Mike Dillon (proper) is the daddy of Austin (left) and Ty Dillon – each Cup Series drivers (Image: Getty)
Mike’s profession behind the wheel delivered combined outcomes, ending thirty fifth in his sole Cup Series outing in 1998 for RCR, whereas he managed three high fives and a additional 12 high 10 finishes within the O’Reilly’s Series between 1993 and 2001. He additionally made three Craftsman Truck Series appearances for RCR in 1997 and 1999, ending a high of sixteenth on his debut.
But Mike isn’t the one main participant at RCR who’s on the transfer, with the team additionally saying John Klausmeier as technical director and Andy Street as efficiency director.
As for the team’s Cup Series crew chiefs for 2026, it confirmed that Austin will proceed to work alongside Richard Boswell, hoping to return the No. 3 Chevrolet to victory lane for a third win in as many seasons.
Meanwhile, Kyle Busch’s No. 8 team will now be led by former JR Motorsports crew chief Jim Pohlman, who received the 2024 Xfinity Series title with Justin Allgaier.
In a assertion, Richard wrote, “RCR has assembled a talented team of professionals to help lead our race team into the future.
“Mike Dillon has already began assembling top talent for RCR and has a track record of success when working with the competition side of our race team. Similarly, John Klausmeier continues to elevate our competition program.
“Andy Street stepped up for us this year and will be a great asset for RCR as we focus on increasing performance across the company. I have full confidence in our crew chiefs this year. I know that both Richard Boswell and Jim Pohlman will do a good job leading our Cup teams.”
Since Richard based the team in 1969, he has loved immense success, profitable six Drivers’ Championships in each the Cup and O’Reilly’s Series, together with two within the Truck Series.
However, whereas Jesse Love unexpectedly received the O’Reilly’s Series title in 2025 regardless of Connor Zilisch’s dominant season for JRM, the team is now with out a Cup Series crown since 1994, when the late Dale Earnhardt received the seventh and closing title of his profession – six of which got here with RCR.
It can be hoping these organizational modifications can help spark some new life into their Cup Series program, which has received simply 5 races within the final three years, failing to complete greater than 14th within the driver’s standings.
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