Richard Childress, a NASCAR legend and the owner of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), has built an iconic career in motorsports, and behind his success stands his wife, Judy Childress, who has been a constant source of support for over 50 years.
Richard Childress, born on September 21, 1945, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a former NASCAR driver and a prominent team owner.
His racing career began in 1969, and though he never won as a driver, he achieved 76 top-10 finishes across 285 NASCAR Cup Series races.
Childress retired from driving in 1981 and transitioned to a successful career as the owner of RCR.
Under Childress’s leadership, RCR became one of the most successful teams in NASCAR.
The team, which famously paired with driver Dale Earnhardt in the 1980s, won six championships with Earnhardt from 1986 to 1994.
After Earnhardt’s tragic death in 2001, Childress promoted Kevin Harvick to drive the No. 29 car, and Harvick won in just his third race.
RCR also won the Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series titles multiple times, solidifying Childress’s legacy as a team owner.
In addition to his racing success, Childress expanded into a vineyard in 2004 and founded the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma in 2008. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017.
Behind his career, his wife, Judy Childress, has been a crucial support system, contributing significantly to the success of RCR and their family life.
Richard And Judy Are Proud Parents of Their Beloved Daughter, Tina Dillon!
Judy Childress, wife of NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Childress, has married him for over 50 years. The couple has one daughter, Tina Dillon.
Their son-in-law, Mike Dillon, a former Xfinity Series driver, is now RCR’s Executive Vice President.
She has been a constant source of support and played a key role in building RCR into one of NASCAR’s most successful and respected teams.
In the early years of RCR, Judy was deeply involved in the day-to-day operations, offering invaluable assistance with the team’s business and racing aspects.
Her contributions behind the scenes were pivotal in establishing RCR as a competitive force in NASCAR.
Even today, she remains involved in the racing operations, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the sport and her family’s legacy.
In addition to her involvement in racing, Judy Childress dedicates herself to philanthropy.
In 2008, she and Richard co-founded The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma.
The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma is an organization focused on improving the treatment and care of injured children.
The institute works to reduce childhood death and disability from injuries, funding vital research and medical education initiatives.
Moreover, Judy’s impact on RCR and her community is evident in the love and respect she has earned from those around her.
As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Judy Childress has fostered a legacy of family values. She supports both her own and the racing family, earning her a beloved place in the NASCAR world.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Richard Childress serves on the board of Ammo Inc., which donated 1 million rounds of ammunition to support Ukraine during the 2022 invasion.
- Richard’s family has deep roots in NASCAR; his son-in-law, Mike Dillon, is RCR’s general manager and a former Nationwide Series driver.
- His grandchildren, Austin and Ty Dillon, are also NASCAR drivers.
