Richard Childress named Grand Marshal for Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway

This Sunday is going to be extra special at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Richard Childress will be the grand marshal for the NASCAR Quaker State 400. This is a track that holds a lot of historical meaning to Richard Childress Racing, the owner, and many of its drivers past and present. Hopefully, RCR will put on a show as the big man is honored at the race track.

When you think about Richard Childress and Atlanta Motor Speedway, your mind goes back to a few special moments. Dale Earnhardt in 2000 over Bobby Labonte. Then Kevin Harvick in 2001, weeks after Earnhardt’s death.

With Childress being the Grand Marshal it should be a fun weekend. The NASCAR team owner has done so much for the sport. As a driver, as an owner, and he will be honored this weekend at Atlanta as he gives the most famous words in motorsports.

NEWS: Richard Childress named grand marshal for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway!

Read more: https://t.co/FSked3wsE9 pic.twitter.com/hHoPzmJS9B

— RCR (@RCRracing) July 3, 2023

“To be the grand marshal for Atlanta, one of my favorite racetracks as a driver and a car owner, is an honor,” Childress said in a statement, via RCR.

Over the years, Richard Childress Racing has had 15 wins at Atlanta across all the national series. Nine of those have come in the Cup Series.

“We’ve had some good runs there [since the reconfiguration]. We’ve won with Austin Hill [in the Xfinity Series] but now we need to win a Cup race,” the bossman said.

Another race in Atlanta, another chance for Richard Childress Racing to make history. Is there a chance we see Kyle Busch or Austin Dillon in Victory Lane this weekend?

Richard Childress Racing history honored at Atlanta Motor Speedway

This is a big weekend for RCR and the history of the team. Not only is the namesake of the organization being honored as grand marshal, there is more in store. Kevin Harvick’s No. 29 car that won back on March 11, 2001, is going to be the pace car leading the race to green.

So, we’re going to hear Richard Childress tell the drivers to start their engines. Then, we’re going to see the 29 lead the field to the line. It was that car, Dale Earnhardt’s car, that won with Kevin Harvick behind the wheel 22 years ago.

It was just Harvick’s third start in the Cup Series. He was excellent in the race. Even with Jeff Gordon charging hard at him on the final lap, The Closer closed out his very first win by mere inches. Ever since that win has meant so much to NASCAR fans of all kinds. It helped heal the wound that Dale’s death created.

So, this weekend is a time to reminisce. A time to honor. Richard Childress and Kevin Harvick both deserve this weekend.