In an exciting development for racing fans, legendary NASCAR team owner and six-time Cup Series champion Richard Childress has been named the Honorary Pace Car Driver for the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The historic 0.625-mile short track played host to this high-stakes event, where one driver earn a lucrative $1 million payday.
Richard Childress will drive the pace car tonight @NWBSpeedway 👏🏼 @RCRracing pic.twitter.com/tB6UoyAmbq
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) May 19, 2024
Childress led the field to the green flag in a Chevrolet Camaro, setting the pace for the intense competition that awaits. Fans expected thrilling racing action as drivers push their limits on the challenging North Wilkesboro track.
Chad Knaus, another NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time Cup Series title-winning crew chief, also played a pivotal role in the event. Knaus, now the vice president of competition for Hendrick Motorsports, served as the Grand Marshal. His command to start engines kicked off the Sunday night race.
A Rich History of Richard Childress with North Wilkesboro
Richard Childress, a 2017 inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, has a deep connection to North Wilkesboro. As an owner, he boasts five Cup Series victories at this iconic track, with Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel. These wins occurred in 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, and 1995. But it’s not just as an owner that Childress has fond memories of North Wilkesboro; he also raced here himself. In 1977, he secured a respectable sixth-place finish in the fall points-paying race.
Reflecting on his early days at North Wilkesboro, Richard Childress shared, “North Wilkesboro was one of my favorite tracks as a driver, and it’s one of my favorites as an owner. I just love it. I think my first race here was in 1971. I remember coming up here; this was a place where everybody brought their families, and you’d have lunch in the infield. Those were some fun days. Back then, I enjoyed having fun more than I enjoyed racing, but I raced to have fun. So, it worked out really well.”
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