In mid-August, Austin Dillon achieved more than one thing. He won the Cook Out 400 race at Richmond Raceway, punching his ticket into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Moreover, he did so in style – dominating 107 laps en route to his victory, flipping the controversial narrative he had faced since his 2024 victory. What is more, Dillon also paved a path of hope for his team, Richard Childress Racing.

Since 2023, RCR has experienced a clash of passion to win and the inability to live up to that passion. Countless changes and internal shuffles have taken place within Richard Childress’s fold. Now, with a rejuvenated mindset after Dillon’s win, the team is gearing up again for 2026.

Richard Childress is up for another revamp

Kyle Busch has been the focal point of RCR’s efforts to improve. The two-time Cup Series champion joined the team at the end of 2022, won three races in 2023, and entered a long winless streak. Busch has been winless for 90 races after the YellaWood 500 in Talladega. In 2024, Busch could not crack the playoffs for the first time in 19 years and clinched 5 top fives and 10 top tens. 2025 has been a downer, with 2 top fives and 9 top tens so far – despite the success of Busch’s teammate. So Mike Verlander, Richard Childress’ president, is on a war footing: “We’re in a bit of a transition and in a positive way.”

Mike Verlander used to be the president of Kyle Busch Motorsports. He was inducted into the same role within Richard Childress’ team in February 2025. The fairly new executive emphasized retaining the older, talented guard of the team for the future. “There are folks that have been at RCR really since Day 1. A gentleman on the payroll has been there over 40 years. And then we have some new folks coming in. We’re trying to blend how things happened and maybe adapt a little bit to how things will be done – and meet in the middle there and find that sweet spot.”

Well, there has been a big organizational shuffle between 2024 and 2025. Besides the promotion of Mike Verlander, there was also Torrey Galida’s ascension from president to vice chairman. John Klausmeier was added as technical director of Richard Childress Racing. Also, Richard Boswell became the crew chief of the No. 3 team with driver Austin Dillon. In May 2025, RCR signed an extension contract with Kyle Busch – clearly retaining hopes that ‘Rowdy’ will be back in form.

Verlander continued how Austin Dillon has played a big role in fueling hope for Richard Childress’s fold. He talked about the Richmond spectacle: “I think the win this year at Richmond was huge, it was such a shock…Yes, for the partners, but also for the 400+ employees to see the way we’re doing it. Every weekend may not be perfect, but when you do find a perfect weekend, it rewards everybody.”

Richard Childress and Co. are planning ahead for their team. Meanwhile, Austin Dillon is focused on continuing his good season in Martinsville.

A glorious track for Richard Childress Racing

Indeed, Martinsville Speedway has witnessed some iconic wins from Richard Childress’s team. In 195 Cup Series starts at the ‘Paperclip’, RCR owns 7 trophies. Those include five clinched by the legendary Dale Earnhardt. Ricky Rudd won the Fall race at Martinsville in 1983, marking the team’s first Cup Series win on an oval. Then, 2014 Cup Series champion, Kevin Harvick, won the 2011 spring race at Martinsville, his first victory at the .526-mile paved speedway. In 2025, one RCR driver is trying to replicate some of that glory at the upcoming Xfinity 500 race.

Austin Dillon boasts three top-five and four top-ten finishes in Martinsville – clinching his best finish of third in April 2022. What is more, short tracks have been the highlight for the No. 3 Chevy this year. Although Richmond is different from Martinsville, Dillon is optimistic. “I love short tracks, and Martinsville Speedway has been solid for us over the years. We have had opportunities to run really well there. One of the first Next Gen races there, I had a shot to win and ran third or fourth. You have hard braking, and it’s hard to get around that little paperclip. It’s a fun track to race at.”

With the motivation to have fun, Austin Dillon is setting a good tone for the Martinsville event. Let’s wait and see how he and Richard Childress’s entire team perform in the coming months.