Story & photos by Phillip Prichard, MSA:
The Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Museum is a 47,000 square foot facility that encompasses the original No 3 Goodwrench team driven by Dale Earnhardt Sr. race shop built in 1986. Visitors will have an eye opening view into the history of RCR and NASCAR. Modeled after the original shop layout, fans will see many of the original No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet’s that Dale Earnhardt piloted throughout his 17 years with the organization. These include all six special paint schemes that Earnhardt drove in the All Star events from 1995-2000, and the 1998 Daytona 500 Championship Monte Carlo, with the lucky penny still on the dashboard.
Along with the many of Earnhardt’s Chevy’s, fans will be able to see many of the cars that made history at RCR, including The Chevrolet that Ricky Rudd earned the organization’s first Sprint Cup victory, Kevin Harvick’s 2001 Atlanta winner along with his 2007 Daytona 500 car. Visitors will be able to see any of the cars that claimed XFINITY Series championships, driven by Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer along with Mike Skinner and Austin Dillon’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship Silverados’. Among the newest addition to the museum is Dillon’s Chevrolet Silverado that went to victory lane at Eldora Speedway in NASCAR’s first race on dirt since 1970. Sixteen video screens throughout the facility showcase the history of RCR.
An avid hunter, the center section of the facility is dedicated to Childress’ devotion to wildlife and outdoor conservation. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation, the National Wild Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited, all actively involved in the conservation of the nation’s wildlife and natural resources, are showcased in this area along with many of the animal trophies Childress has taken over the years.
Weekdays No.3 Goodwrench Gas Man Chocolate Meyers broadcasts SiriusXM’s Tradin’ Paint Live from the Richard Childress Racing Museum store Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The museum is located at 236 Industrial Drive, Welcome, NC. It is open Monday – Friday from 10 am – 4 pm and Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm. Check out www.rcrracing.com/about/?cid=45946 for more info. An extensive gift shop offers a variety of memorabilia of present and past RCR drivers.
Fans may, also check out Childress Vineyards located at 1000 Childress Vineyard Rd, Lexington, NC. Childress Vineyards features 72 acres of vineyards and 11 varieties of European Vitis vinifera cultivars at two vineyards sites: Richard’s Hampton Road Estate in Davidson County and Vineyard Crossing at the winery site. Just as quality is a hallmark at RCR Racing, so it is at Childress Vineyards. Richard’s reputation to field championship NASCAR racing teams with top personnel and the best equipment has also been employed here at Childress Vineyards. Lunch is served each day at the Bistro in the center of the vineyards. Check out www.childressvineyards.com/visit/.
