WELCOME, N.C. - Richard Childress Racing kicked off its 50th anniversary Friday at its headquarters in Welcome, North Carolina, with announcements about the 2019 season.
RCR announced Daniel Hemric will drive the No. 8 Chevrolet in his rookie Cup season. Hemric had originally been announced as driving the No. 31.
Hemric, who moves up after two years in Xfinity, drove the No. 8 in his two Cup starts in 2018.
Hemric will be sponsored by Caterpillar, Bass Pro Shops, Liberty National Life Insurance, Cessna and VF Workwear.
Cessna is also a sponsor at Chip Ganassi Racing.
“Growing up in Kannapolis, it was all about racing,” Hemric said in a press release. “I always dreamed of having the opportunity to drive for RCR and for Richard himself. Now, two iconic numbers, the 3 and the 8, are going to be under one roof. I know it makes Richard happier than anybody, just understanding what that means for the sport of NASCAR and how our fans are going to be able to connect with that.”
RCR also confirmed NBC Sports’ report that Luke Lambert would be the crew chief for Hemric.
The team revealed gold-themed cars Hemric and teammate Austin Dillon will drive during Speedweeks in Daytona to celebrate the team’s 50th anniversary.
Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet will be sponsored by Bass Pro Shops in the Advance Auto Parts Clash.
The scheme for the exhibition race is based on the car Dale Earnhardt Sr. drove in the 1998 All-Star Race.
Xfinity Series
Team owner Richard Childress confirmed Tyler Reddick would be the organization’s only full-time Xfinity Series driver in 2019.
The defending series champion will drive the No. 2 Chevrolet and be paired with crew chief Randall Burnett, who worked with Matt Tifft on the No. 2 in 2018.
Childress said its second Xfinity car will be the No. 21 “more than likely.”
Technical Alliance
Childress confirmed the teams that will be full members of a technical alliance with RCR in 2019.
In Cup, RCR will be joined by StarCom Racing (No. 00), Germain Racing (No. 13) and Richard Petty Motorsports (No. 43).
Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series (No. 11 Chevrolet) will also be a part of the alliance.
Childress said ECR engines would be provided for all those teams.
Charter
Childress said the team would sell a team charter to StarCom Racing that had been leased to the team in 2018.