What companies does Richard Childress own? Exploring the NASCAR team owner's business ventures

Richard Childress is not only a championship-winning car owner, but he's had great success in other business ventures. Even at 79 years old, the former car owner of the late NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. still makes frequent appearances at the racetrack while keeping up with his other businesses as well.

The North Carolina native's business presence is huge within stock car racing, but over the years, it's since extended beyond the tracks. Here, we'll dive into Childress' business ventures, both on and off the racetrack.

Richard Childress Racing

Of course, Childress' most well-known and prominent business is his race team. RCR broke onto the NASCAR scene in 1976 with Childress himself driving his own #3 car. He stepped away from driving in 1981 and gave over the reins to Dale Earnhardt Sr., who was the defending champion at the time. Earnhardt finished out the 1981 season but left to drive for Bud Moore in 1982 and 1983.

Eventually, Earnhardt returned to RCR in 1984, and the duo dominated the Cup Series through the mid-80s and 90s. They won six championships together between 1986-1994 and a multitude of races. Unfortunately, Earnhardt's career was tragically cut short when he lost his life in a last-lap crash in the 2001 Daytona 500.

Kevin Harvick was tapped to drive Earnhardt's car, but Childress decided to change the number to 29. Harvick raced for RCR for 13 seasons and was a championship contender throughout. His most significant win with the team was the 2007 Daytona 500.

After Harvick left to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing, Childress has seen multiple drivers come and go from the team, including Ryan Newman, Paul Menard, and Tyler Reddick. He currently fields two cars in the Cup Series, Kyle Busch in the #8 and Austin Dillon, Childress' grandson, in the #3. While RCR hasn't won a championship since Earnhardt in 1994, the organization continues to stand strong today.

ECR Technologies

In 2016, Childress acquired ECR Technologies, a company that provided engines to race teams the previous nine years. RCR, Germain Racing, and JTG Daugherty Racing were among some of the teams that received engines from ECR. The company was formed jointly in 2007 by RCR and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, a team once owned by the late Earnhardt. ECR Technologies have provided engines for other forms of motorsports too, including the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the ARCA Menards Series.

Childress Vineyards

Outside of racing, Childress owns his own vineyard, Childress Vineyards. Located in Lexington, North Carolina, Childress Vineyards now has over 100 wineries since its beginnings in 2004. Childress has paid homage to his racing career as an owner and a driver with a checkered flag or a car number on many of the wine bottles he has produced.