Childress was a NASCAR Cup Series driver from 1969 to 1981, recording six top-5 and seventy-six top-10 finishes in 285 starts. He finished fifth in the 1975 point standings and earned top-10 points finishes in five of the eight full seasons he competed as a driver. He retired as a driver in mid-1981, naming Dale Earnhardt to finish the season.

RCR was a one-team shop (No. 3 NASCAR Cup Series team) from 1969-1994. A NASCAR Truck Series program was added in 1995 and a second Cup Series team (No. 31) was added for the 1997 season. A two-team NASCAR Busch Series program (No. 2 and No. 21) was started for the 200 season and the Truck Series team ceased operation. A third Cup Series team (No. 30) was started in 2001 to run part-time and became full-time in 2002.

Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt achieved great success during their years together at RCR. Here are just some of their accomplishments: Six NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championships - 1986, '87, '90, '91, '93, '94 67 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup victories 1998 Daytona 500 victory 1995 Brickyard 400 victory Five Budweiser Shootout victories - 1986, '88, '91, '93, '95 Three victories in The Nextel All-Star Race - 1987, '90, '93 Four Union 76 World Pit Crew championships - 1985, '86, '87, '88 11 Daytona 500 Qualifying Race Victories - 1986, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99

Childress was the first NASCAR team owner to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, Busch Grand National Series and Truck Series.

An RCR team has finished in the top-10 in NASCAR Cup Series point standings 20 of the last 22 seasons. And an RCR team has earned a NASCAR Cup Series victory in 20 of the last 21 seasons. Childress purchased his first race car, a 1947 Plymouth, for $20 at the age of 17.