Richard Childress has consistently advocated for greater diversity within NASCAR, emphasizing the importance of nurturing more young women in the sport. His encouragement of increased female participation reflects efforts by major figures in the racing community to advance Richard Childress NASCAR diversity and shape the next generation of standout drivers.
Childress Supports Women’s Growth in NASCAR
In 2015, Richard Childress made headlines when he publicly discussed Danica Patrick’s transformative impact on stock-car racing. Speaking about Patrick’s rise and the energy she brought to the sport, Childress pointed to the need for more highly visible, determined young women in NASCAR’s ranks, expressing a desire for his own team to play a part in developing future stars.
Danica Patrick had by then established herself as a central figure in NASCAR, noted for becoming one of its most recognizable competitors. She initially appeared in the 2012 Daytona 500 with Tommy Baldwin Racing, but quickly ascended to a full-time Cup Series role with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2013, driving the No. 10 Chevrolet.
Her rookie Cup campaign was historic; Patrick captured the pole position for the 2013 Daytona 500—the first woman to do so—and converted that into an impressive eighth-place finish. This milestone performance brought a new wave of fans, especially girls inspired by seeing a woman compete at such a high level, and helped secure Patrick a place on Forbes’ 100 Power Women list in 2010 following her move from open-wheel disciplines to NASCAR.
Reflecting on this influence, Childress remarked in a 2015 interview:
“Having these young girls out there driving, there’s going to be another Danica Patrick and I think she has been great for the sport. I think what she does for the sport is great. We’re just looking to find the next one.”
—Richard Childress, Team Owner
Among the young talents inspired by Patrick was Ahnna Parkhurst, a teenager who signed with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and began a determined campaign in Dirt Late Model racing with significant team backing. Parkhurst openly admired Patrick’s presence and accessibility in the garage, aspiring to match her resolve as she built her own career.
Kate Dallenbach, another driver nurtured through RCR’s developmental ranks, followed a path similar to Parkhurst’s, moving through local shows, regional contests, and late-model events. Even though neither Parkhurst nor Dallenbach ultimately reached the national NASCAR series, both advanced during a period when Danica Patrick’s trailblazing presence was still fresh and meaningful within the garage and among fans.
Patrick maintained her competitive drive with Stewart-Haas Racing through 2017, collaborating with different crew chiefs and achieving seven career top-10 finishes—inclusive of a strong run to sixth at Atlanta in 2014. She concluded her NASCAR career in the 2018 Daytona 500, and, after one final Indy 500 appearance, moved into a successful broadcasting role with Sky Sports F1.
Differing Views From Within the Racing Community
While Childress championed the cause of women in NASCAR, other racing legends presented alternative viewpoints. Richard Petty, for instance, stirred debate in 2014 by casting doubt on Patrick’s competitiveness at the top level. Ahead of that year’s Daytona 500, Petty offered sharp comments about Patrick’s celebrity within the sport.
“If she’d have been a male, nobody would ever know if she’d showed up at a race track. This is a female deal that’s driving her. There’s nothing wrong with that, because that’s good PR for me. More fans come out, people are more interested in it. She has helped to draw attention to the sport, which helps everybody in the sport,”
—Richard Petty, Seven-Time NASCAR Champion (via IndyStar)
Danica Patrick responded to Petty’s remarks by focusing on the value of conversation and differing opinions rather than confrontation:
“People have said things in the past and they will say things in the future…. everybody is entitled to their own opinion. People are going to judge… I really feel that I like people who have opinions. That is fine with me. It creates such great conversation.”
—Danica Patrick, NASCAR Driver
Despite the controversy, Patrick concentrated on elevating her skill on track, ending the 2014 season with three top-10 finishes and continuing full-time until 2017. Over the course of her NASCAR career, she amassed 191 Cup starts and seven top-10 finishes, setting a benchmark for young women who followed her path and aspired to thrive in a historically male-dominated field.
Impact on Future Generations and the Sport
The persistent efforts of Richard Childress and the visible success of drivers like Danica Patrick have together fostered greater opportunities for women in stock-car racing. Although drivers like Ahnna Parkhurst and Kate Dallenbach did not reach the highest series, their journeys reflected expanding pathways for diverse entrants in NASCAR.
Patrick’s success has provided hope and motivation for many, while Childress’s public advocacy signals a willingness among leading teams to keep searching for and supporting the next breakthrough talent. Such drive for inclusivity is helping change the landscape of NASCAR, potentially bringing new audiences and talent to the sport in years ahead.
