For decades, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) stood as a NASCAR powerhouse. With Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel, Childress built an empire, winning six championships in nine years and finishing as runner-up three times. From the late 1980s through the early 2000s, RCR wasn’t just competing, but it was dominating. But in recent years, the once-mighty team has faded.

Once feared on the track, they’ve been forced to watch as Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske, and Joe Gibbs Racing took control of the sport. Some have even questioned if Childress’ team will ever return to its former glory. Well, according to an RCR insider, a turn of form is just around the corner.

Mike Verlander champions Richard Childress Racing’s resurgence

Mike Verlander, recently promoted to president of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), acknowledges the team’s recent challenges. He stated, “Richard deserves to have a better NASCAR effort.” The team with a storied past has recently faced a downturn. For instance, while the team holds the record for having at least one car successfully qualify for every Cup race since 1972, they haven’t finished better than 11th since 2015. This is a concerning statistic for a team with such a rich legacy.

Mike Verlander also acknowledged that the road to recovery won’t be instant. “Guys, we’ve got to remember, this is like Novocain. It’s not going to take immediately. We’re going to have to be consistent and disciplined, and in time, we’re going to look up and realize we’re a lot better.” His message to the team reflects a long-term vision—one built on steady growth, not quick fixes. For a legacy team like RCR, the rebuild is about patience, persistence, and staying the course, even when the results don’t come right away.

In addition to on-track issues, the team has had its fair share of off-track declines as well. In 2024, Richard Childress Racing had to deal with a hefty $3 million loss. The reason? First, Austin Dillon was fined $2.5 million for his controversial move to win at Richmond Raceway. Then, at Martinsville, Dillon and fellow Chevrolet, Ross Chastain, obstructed competitors to benefit William Byron’s Chevrolet. This resulted in a $200,000 fine for Richard Childress Racing.

To address these challenges, Richard Childress Racing implemented significant leadership changes. Keith Rodden was promoted to vice president of competition, tasked with enhancing performance and fostering strategic partnerships. Verlander’s promotion to president is part of a broader strategy to revitalize RCR. His extensive experience positions him to oversee daily operations and spearhead initiatives aimed at returning the team to prominence.

So far, the results have been a slight improvement, but still far off the what the team aspires to be. #8 Kyle Busch got three consecutive top-10 finishes out of the first five races and showed promising signs by leading the most laps at the Circuit of The Americas. However, after a top-5 run in Phoenix, Busch saw a loose tire and pit road speeding violation ruin his race at his hometown of Las Vegas.

Then, Busch’s most bizarre performance was at Homestead, where he ran amongst the bottom 15 for most of the race while his teammate, Austin Dillon, was flirting with the top 15! Inconsistencies have marred RCR so far, but as Verlander rightly pointed out, success won’t arrive instantly, but it will arrive, and even Childress echoes this sentiment.

Richard Childress is confident that the changes being made behind the scenes will soon show on the track. “You’re going to see a much different Richard Childress Racing this year,” Childress said. “Just wait.” With fresh leadership, a renewed vision, and a legacy to reclaim, could this be the year RCR silences the doubters?

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Mike Verlander’s NASCAR journey – From branding brain to RCR’s strategic backbone

Mike Verlander’s journey through the motorsports industry spans over two decades, marked by impactful leadership and strategic innovation. Before joining Richard Childress Racing (RCR), Verlander spent 14 years as Executive Vice President of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR).

Joining SHR in 2008, he played a pivotal role in transforming the organization from a modest two-car team with 100 employees into a powerhouse operation employing 350 people by 2021. His expertise in sales, marketing, and sponsorship development helped secure partnerships with top-tier brands like Mobil 1, Monster Energy, and Anheuser-Busch, laying the foundation for SHR’s championship success.

In 2021, Verlander transitioned to Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) as President and Chief Revenue Officer. There, he expanded his managerial scope by overseeing the Busch family’s diverse business ventures, including Rowdy Energy and the Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund. Thus, Verlander’s ability to integrate business development with operational consistency proved instrumental in enhancing KBM’s commercial growth.

Verlander joined RCR in 2024 as Chief Operating Officer, immersing himself in the team’s operations and culture. “When I was at Stewart-Haas, I had an opportunity to learn the other side of the house – all things commercial, sponsorship, marketing, all the revenue sides. What I did not know, and really, what I wanted to learn, was more about the competition side,” said Verlander. So, he spent time at each shop to understand the intricacies of race car manufacturing and team dynamics. His focus on improving processes led to noticeable performance gains. For example, quicker pit stops were achieved by replacing underperforming crew members with dedicated athletes.

Promoted to President in February 2025, Verlander now oversees all divisions of RCR Enterprises. This includes its NASCAR teams, manufacturing solutions, graphics operations, and engine-building programs. His leadership aims to restore RCR’s prominence while maintaining its blue-collar ethos.

From his branding expertise at SHR to his operational excellence at KBM and RCR, Mike Verlander has proven himself as a strategic backbone for every organization he has led. His career reflects a blend of innovation, adaptability, and commitment to motorsports excellence. Do you think he can guide Richard Childress Racing back to its glory days? Let us know in the comments!