Childress, Petree, Earnhardt combine efforts
The Earnhardt Connection
Concord, North Carolina (September 30, 1998)

Three well-known Chevrolet teams revealed Wednesday an arrangement to link their aerodynamic engineering efforts.

Richard Childress Racing, Andy Petree Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc., have agreed with Automotive Aerodynamics Inc. to form RAD Aerodynamics.  The RAD represents Richard, Andy and Dale.

The new operation, headed by AAI founder Louis Duncan, will work to further develop the aerodynamic packages for the three teams' NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch Series, and Craftsman Truck Series operations.  They will share information, including results from wind tunnel and on-track testing.

"We're looking toward the future," Childress said. "Dale, Andy and I have all worked together in the past. Together we felt we needed to do more to supplement what General Motors already provides for our race teams. Louis Duncan is a highly-respected Aero engineer and we are fortunate to have him in our camp."

Currently RCR is the only two-car operation of the trio of car owners, but Andy Petree Racing will become a two-car operation in 1999 with former Ford driver Kenny Wallace behind the wheel of the second car.  DEI will become a two-car operation in 2000 when Dale Earnhardt Jr. begins his rookie season in Winston Cup with Budweiser as the sponsor.