RCR Strategic Shift: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) recently made strategic leadership changes within its organization, signaling an intent to fortify its operational strength moving forward.
In a significant move, Andy Petree, a veteran of 35 years in motorsports and previously serving as RCR’s vice president of competition, has ascended to the role of executive vice president. This promotion places him at the helm of the 55-year-old race team, expanding his purview across all facets of the organization. Petree’s track record includes steering RCR to a total of 23 victories, spread across nine NASCAR Cup Series wins and 14 NASCAR Xfinity Series triumphs. His contributions notably culminated in securing the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship alongside driver Tyler Reddick, while RCR clinched seven Playoff berths in the Cup Series during his tenure.
While Petree’s elevation entails a transition towards broader oversight, the reshuffling also sees two seasoned RCR stalwarts with strong engineering backgrounds stepping into more prominent roles within the competition team.
Justin Alexander, previously a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief for Austin Dillon, assumes the mantle of competition director. His responsibilities will encompass the supervision of all competition-related departments, leveraging his extensive two-decade-long experience in motorsports to optimize RCR’s performance. Formerly serving as the organization’s director of vehicle performance, Alexander’s ascendancy signifies a pivotal shift in his contribution to the team.
Concurrently, Eric Kominek will continue adding value to RCR in a redefined technical director role. Tasked with overseeing the team’s technical engineering initiatives, his focus will encompass vehicle systems engineering, design, and metrology. Additionally, Kominek will assume the mantle of technical director for RCR’s NASCAR Xfinity Series program.
Richard Childress, Chairman, and CEO of RCR expressed confidence in these changes, remarking on Petree’s vast experience in racing, Alexander’s leadership prowess, and Kominek’s technical acumen. Childress highlighted Petree’s evolution from race car driver to crew chief for Dale Earnhardt, emphasizing his deep-rooted connection and commitment to RCR. The chairman commended Alexander and Kominek, citing their engineering expertise and leadership qualities as crucial assets for RCR’s competitive future.
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