Richard Childress, CEO and Chairman of the NASCAR National Series dynasty that is known as Richard Childress Racing (RCR), is in line to receive the prestigious Horatio Alger Award.
The award is given out annually by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, a non-profit organization that honors leaders who have overcome adversity and supports young people in furthering their education.
For nearly eight decades, the award has recognized esteemed individuals who have reached remarkable success despite significant challenges, and who have demonstrated a strong commitment to higher education and philanthropy.
Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Childress faced an incredible loss at the young age of five years old when his father passed away. As a young child, he demonstrated a strong work ethic, earning his school lunch in first grade by cleaning the lunchroom and sweeping the hallways. As he aged, Childress continued to work hard by selling peanuts and popcorn at the local stadium on weekends to help support his family.
His legacy, though, came from a passion for car racing, which he found at a young age — dreaming one day of becoming a racecar driver himself. Purchasing an old taxicab for $20 and transforming it into his first racecar, Richard Childress Racing was born, and his dream of becoming a racecar driver was a reality.
From 1969 to 1981, Childress competed in the highest level of American stock car racing, the NASCAR Cup Series, making a total of 285 career starts and nabbing six top-fives and 76 top-10s. What started as a one-man racing team, though, has grown into one of the most respectable organizations in history, which, as of right now, employs more than 400 people between its efforts in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Richard Childress, as a car owner, has amassed more than 200 victories between NASCAR’s National Series, including 17 championships, three DAYTONA 500 victories, and three Brickyard 400 victories. Signaling his commitment to the sport, Childress was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017.
“Throughout my life, I’ve learned how important it is to find your passion and pursue it with relentless dedication. You have to be willing to put everything on the line. My passion for racing began when I was just a kid at the track, and that spark has stayed with me ever since, pushing me to chase success in the sport I love,” said Richard Childress. “But passion alone isn’t enough. Surrounding yourself with people who share your drive is a source of strength that leads to success. That’s why being part of the Horatio Alger Association is so meaningful. This community of dedicated members works together to uplift young people as they follow their dreams. I’m honored to join in that mission.
Beyond his accomplishments on the racetrack, Childress and his wife, Judy, are committed philanthropists. In 2008, they partnered with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to establish the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, which has grown today into a nationwide initiative dedicated to preventing childhood trauma and life-threatening injury, the No. 1 killer of kids in America.
“Richard Childress is an exceptional leader whose integrity, resilience, and commitment to excellence have long distinguished him in the world of motorsports and beyond,” said Marcia G. Taylor, President and CEO of Bennett International Group LLC. “Through our partnership with Richard Childress Racing, I have seen firsthand how his dedication to his team, his industry, and his community reflects the very qualities that the Horatio Alger Association seeks to honor. I am pleased to support his induction and congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.”
The Horatio Alger Association will honor the following individuals with lifetime membership in the organization:
- Maria S. Bartiromo, Anchor and Global Markets Editor for FOX Business Network
- Thaddeus Michael Bullard, President of Bullard Family Foundation
- Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing
- Eileen Collins, Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and Former Space Shuttle Commander at NASA
- Dr. Peter Craig Farrell, Founder of ResMed, Inc.
- Cordia Harrington, Founder of Crown Bakeries
- Imran Khan, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Proem Advisors
- Byron Roth, Executive Chairman of Roth Capital Partners
- William W. Rowley, Chairman and Founder of Healthnetwork Foundation
- Robert E. Segert, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AthenaHealth
- Douglas S. Witcher, Chairman of the Board of Smart Choice
“For 79 years, the Horatio Alger Association has recognized individuals who are living embodiments of the American Dream. In addition to setting an example for the next generation of young leaders across the nation, members commit to supporting students who seek to better their challenging circumstances through education,” said Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett, President of the Horatio Alger Association and 1999 Horatio Alger Award recipient. “The 11 Horatio Alger Award recipients who will be inducted this year are among the best America has to offer. We are proud to honor them and look forward to the impact they will make.”
Childress and the member class of 2026 will be formally inducted into the Association during the 79th Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C., in April.
Until then, Childress will remain active on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit, as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Bowman-Gray Stadium for the Cook Out Clash on Sunday, February 1, at 8:00 PM.
