Richard Childress Racing Makes Significant Leadership Changes Ahead of 2026 NASCAR Season
In a bold move that promises to reshape the competitive landscape, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has announced major appointments within its NASCAR Cup Series competition leadership just as the 2026 racing season approaches.
Mike Dillon has been appointed as the chief operating officer, a pivotal role focused on enhancing the administrative functions related to competition. In this capacity, Dillon will be pivotal in steering the direction of performance and operational strategies, with a strong emphasis on attracting and retaining elite talent within the industry.
Dillon's extensive tenure at RCR spans multiple facets of both business and competition, showcasing his hands-on leadership style. His impressive resume includes significant positions such as vice president of competition, director of team operations, and even roles as a driver and spotter. Notably, he played a crucial role in establishing RCR’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series program during the late 1990s and has consistently contributed to the development of RCR’s driver training initiatives over the years.
Meanwhile, John Klausmeier has stepped into the role of technical director, where he will spearhead competition leadership efforts at RCR. His responsibilities include overseeing all technical engineering activities for the high-performance racing team while concentrating on vehicle systems engineering, design, and metrology. With over two decades of experience in motorsports, Klausmeier, a former Cup Series winning crew chief, is set to provide guidance to RCR’s skilled engineers and crew chiefs, ensuring that all competition departments work seamlessly under his direction, reporting directly to Dillon.
Andy Street has also been appointed as the performance director for RCR, tasked with enhancing research and development efforts and boosting overall performance on the track. Additionally, he will take on the role of crew chief for RCR’s part-time No. 33 Chevrolet entry in the NASCAR Cup Series during the 2026 season. With over 20 years of experience at RCR, Street brings a wealth of knowledge from various roles including crew chief, engineering manager, team engineer, and design engineer.
Continuing his established role, Richard Boswell will remain the crew chief for the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet, working alongside Austin Dillon. Their collaboration yielded impressive results last season, highlighted by a commanding victory at Richmond Raceway, where Dillon led an impressive 107 laps, clinching critical playoff points for the team.
In addition, Jim Pohlman will join Kyle Busch as the crew chief for the No. 8 Chevrolet, marking his first year with Busch. Pohlman comes with a wealth of experience, boasting over 120 starts as a crew chief across both the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He previously guided Justin Allgaier to a championship in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024.
Richard Childress, the Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, expressed confidence in the newly assembled leadership team, stating, "RCR has brought together a group of talented professionals who are well-equipped to lead our racing team into the future. Mike Dillon has already begun to attract top talent for RCR, and his proven success in managing the competitive aspects of our race team is invaluable. Similarly, John Klausmeier's efforts continue to advance our competition program, while Andy Street’s involvement this year is expected to significantly enhance our performance. I have complete trust in our crew chiefs, and I am confident that both Richard Boswell and Jim Pohlman will excel in guiding our Cup teams this season."
For further details, please visit rcrracing.com.
