Why RCR is optimistic about 2013

CONCORD, NC

Richard Childress Racing has worked in the offseason to make sure that its three NASCAR Sprint Cup operations are taking full advantage of the assets they have.

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RCR is coming off a disappointing season in terms of overall performance. While Kevin Harvick did make the Chase for the Sprint Cup, teammates Jeff Burton and Paul Menard each failed to make that group. Harvick finished eighth overall, with Menard 16th and Burton 19th. Harvick won the lone race among the drivers, and his victory came late in the year.

Team owner Richard Childress says the team has added to its list of engineers. It also enters its first full season with Dr. Eric Warren as competition director.

Warren says that he’s spent the offseason making sure that everyone was on the same page.

With a history of success in the program, and its own engine program through Earnhardt Childress Engines, the group has the ability to perform at a higher level — and is actively working toward that end.

“Part of the task that I’ve had is getting our teams to work well together and create a new structure and try to optimize all the great resources of the people here at RCR,” Warren said Monday night during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Warren has worked to put a system in place that will allow the three teams to work together — and hopefully at a higher level.

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“Started at the end of last season, kind of built a method of preparing and trying to look at the teams separately to kind of develop ideas and bring them all together when it counts, when the season starts,” he said. “We’ve had two successful tests . . . We’ve got high expectations and I look forward to bringing that to reality.”

Team owner Richard Childress, too, is encouraged about the season. He says the addition of Warren “has brought a whole new level of experience into RCR from an engineering standpoint."
“I really feel excited about what we’re doing and where we’re going with it,” Childress said.