RCR memorial for lost crew member

Richard Childress Racing will honor former pit crew member and front tire changer D.J. Richardson with memorial decals during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway.

The No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet will carry the decals behind the front tires for the February 6 Budweiser Shootout. All three of RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries will carry the decals for the 52nd annual Daytona 500 on February 14, and its Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series entries will also carry the decals for their season-opening races.

Richardson passed away December 25, 2009, from complications from the H1N1 virus. He joined RCR in July 2009 and finished the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season with the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet Impala SS team. The Leominster, Mass., native was 37.

“D.J. should be jumping off the wall and changing tires for us again this season so we wanted to honor him in this special way," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He was a valued member of the RCR family and is missed as we start the 2010 season."