RCR Competition Executive Resigns Effective Immediately

What’s Happening?

Richard Childress Racing announced on Tuesday that Executive Vice President and competition executive Andy Petree has immediately retired from his post. Keith Rodden will take over Petree’s role with the “Interim” tag. The move came amidst RCR’s struggles in the Cup Series in 2024, with Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon winless and out of the Cup Series Playoffs.

NEWS: https://t.co/TxSRVZZeQ8 pic.twitter.com/UvJ8UPEVSK

— RCR (@RCRracing) June 25, 2024

• Andy Petree has a long history with Richard Childress Racing. He first joined the team in 1993 as a crew chief for Dale Earnhardt, and the pair won two consecutive Cup Series Championships in 1993 and 1994. Petree moved on after 1995 to become a team owner and eventually a broadcaster before returning to RCR in the 2010s in the competition department. He was promoted to executive vice president before the 2024 season.
• Richard Childress Racing has struggled mightily in 2024. The team has not won since Gateway in 2023, and Kyle Busch (17th) and Austin Dillon (32nd) are out of the Cup Series Playoffs as of this writing.
• Fans are surprised to see this announcement. However, RCR’s struggles mean that changes were likely coming in many areas. Eric Estepp raised this question on social media, hinting that many more changes could come.

Quotes

Both Petree and Childress spoke on the move. Here is what they both had to say.

I’m incredibly grateful to Richard Childress for the impact he has had on my career, as well as the wonderful memories and on-track success we have enjoyed together. Although my day-to-day involvement with RCR is changing, I will always be a fan and supporter of everyone in Welcome, North Carolina. I wish RCR the best for the rest of this season and beyond.

Andy Petree

Andy Petree has been a tremendous supporter of RCR for many years and we wish him success in the future. Our organization won two championships with Andy during his first stint at RCR, and we have made the NASCAR Playoffs and won races with him during his most recent tenure. I am grateful for his contributions to the team, leadership and friendship over the years. Keith Rodden has big shoes to fill as interim competition director, but I know his passion for motorsports and dedication will help drive RCR forward during a key time for our organization.

Richard Childress

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