AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Richard Childress: From Stuntman to NASCAR Legend – The Untold Story of His Wildest Days

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
February 6, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Richard Childress: From Stuntman to NASCAR Legend – The Untold Story of His Wildest Days

Nov 9, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Series team owner Richard Childress during the Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Fifty-five years of legacy in NASCAR is no small feat. Richard Childress built his racing empire from humble beginnings in 1969, and today, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) stands as one of the Cup Series’ powerhouse teams. With over 200 race victories, including 67 under Dale Earnhardt, Childress has cemented his place in motorsports history. But before his rise to prominence, his journey took some jaw-dropping turns that many fans would never expect.

The Grit Behind the Glory

NASCAR’s roots run deep in the rugged backroads of North Carolina, where moonshine runners tested their speed against the law. Many of its pioneers, including Childress, came from rough-and-tumble backgrounds. In a recent revelation, Childress shared the extreme lengths he went to in his early years just to make ends meet.

Coming from a tough upbringing, Childress faced hardship from an early age. After losing his father at just five years old, he took on various odd jobs to support himself. He cleaned his school’s lunchroom and swept hallways in exchange for free meals. At Bowman Gray Stadium, where he first fell in love with racing, he hawked Cokes and peanuts while idolizing legends like Junior Johnson and Curtis Turner.

Richard Childress: The Daredevil Stuntman

While building his NASCAR career in 1969, Childress sought out any opportunity to stay afloat financially. One of his most daring ventures? Becoming a stuntman.

Appearing on a recent episode of The Dale Jr. Download, Childress left Dale Earnhardt Jr. stunned when he detailed how he got involved in Hollywood’s high-risk world. “To pay the bills, really – anything I could do,” Childress admitted. “They said, ‘Who wants to wreck his car?’ I raised my hand.”

His involvement in stunt work deepened when he befriended Stan Barrett, who was working for Hal Needham—one of Hollywood’s most famous stuntmen and directors. “Stan told me about stunt work, and whenever I had time during the week, I’d take off and go somewhere,” Childress recalled.

Mimicking Burt Reynolds and Outrunning Planes

Childress’ stunt work went beyond wrecking cars. He even doubled for the legendary Burt Reynolds. “Hell, I doubled Burt Reynolds at one time. I put on his wig, his sweatshirt, and wrecked a motorcycle,” he recounted.

Yet, his most outrageous stunt came with a payday too tempting to resist. “Probably the dumbest thing I’ve done is, I slid a motorcycle down in front of a 182 plane that was landing,” Childress revealed. “They said, ‘Who’ll do this?’ Hell, they paid $400-$500 to do it. That was big money back in the day.”

Did His Stuntman Past Shape His NASCAR Grit?

Richard Childress’ fearless approach to life translated seamlessly to NASCAR. His experience taking risks—both on Hollywood sets and in real life—helped shape his relentless drive in motorsports. Even Dale Earnhardt played a part in his ventures, with Childress trusting “The Intimidator” long before they conquered NASCAR together.

So, did Childress’ stuntman days make him the fearless competitor he became? Share your thoughts!

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Lewis Hamilton’s Qualifying Nightmare Continues: Failure to Advance for Second Race Straight
Motorsports

Lewis Hamilton’s Qualifying Nightmare Continues: Failure to Advance for Second Race Straight

Formula One F1 - Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary - August 2, 2025 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton after qualifying...

by Carl Smith
August 2, 2025
Charles Leclerc Shocks F1 World with Sensational Hungarian GP Pole Steal
Motorsports

Charles Leclerc Shocks F1 World with Sensational Hungarian GP Pole Steal

Formula One F1 - Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary - August 2, 2025 Ferrari's Charles Leclerc celebrates after...

by Virgilio Machado
August 2, 2025
Leclerc Shocks F1 World with Epic Hungary Pole Grab from Dominant McLarens
Motorsports

Leclerc Shocks F1 World with Epic Hungary Pole Grab from Dominant McLarens

Formula One F1 - Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary - August 1, 2025 Ferrari's Charles Leclerc before practice...

by Simon Monroy
August 2, 2025
Charles Leclerc’s Sensational Last-Minute Triumph Steals Pole Glory at F1 Hungarian GP
Motorsports

Charles Leclerc’s Sensational Last-Minute Triumph Steals Pole Glory at F1 Hungarian GP

Formula One F1 - Belgian Grand Prix - Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot, Belgium - July 27, 2025 Ferrari's Charles Leclerc...

by Harry Stone
August 2, 2025

Recent News

Lewis Hamilton’s Qualifying Nightmare Continues: Failure to Advance for Second Race Straight

Lewis Hamilton’s Qualifying Nightmare Continues: Failure to Advance for Second Race Straight

August 2, 2025
Charles Leclerc Shocks F1 World with Sensational Hungarian GP Pole Steal

Charles Leclerc Shocks F1 World with Sensational Hungarian GP Pole Steal

August 2, 2025
Leclerc Shocks F1 World with Epic Hungary Pole Grab from Dominant McLarens

Leclerc Shocks F1 World with Epic Hungary Pole Grab from Dominant McLarens

August 2, 2025
Charles Leclerc’s Sensational Last-Minute Triumph Steals Pole Glory at F1 Hungarian GP

Charles Leclerc’s Sensational Last-Minute Triumph Steals Pole Glory at F1 Hungarian GP

August 2, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks