NASCAR Team Owner Richard Childress Recipient Of Horatio Alger Award

NASCAR Cup Series team owner and entrepreneur Richard Childress.

Richard Childress Racing Photo

Richard Childress learned the value of hard work when he was just five years old when his father passed away and the young boy had to help support the family. As a first grader, he earned his school lunch by cleaning the lunchroom and sweeping the hallways. As he grew older, he continued to work, selling peanuts and popcorn at the local stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on weekends to help support the family.

That work ethic has made Childress a true rags to riches story, as Childress has become a legendary NASCAR Cup Series Championship team owner and a very successful businessman.

Childress, the Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, is one of 11 individuals who will receive the prestigious 2026 Horatio Alger Award.

“Throughout my life, I’ve learned how important it is to find your passion and pursue it with relentless dedication,” Childress said. “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.

“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.”

Richard Childress’ Passion Has Taken Him Far In Life

Childress discovered a passion for car racing at a young age, dreaming of one day becoming a race car driver himself. As a young adult, he turned that dream into reality by purchasing an old taxicab for $20 and transforming it into his first race car.

What began as a one-man racing team grew over decades into one of the most respected organizations in motorsports. Today, Richard Childress Racing employes more than 400 team members supporting full-time operations in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Over his storied career, Richard Childress Racing has amassed more than 200 victories across NASCAR’s top three national series, including 17 championships, three Daytona 500 championships, and three Brickyard 400 victories. In recognition of his remarkable contributions to the sport, Childress was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017.

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 prevent childhood trauma and life-threatening injury, the No. 1 killer of kids in America. The Institute funds research, education and advocacy to help improve the care and treatment injured kids receive throughout America.

“Richard Childress is an exceptional leader whose integrity, resilience, and commitment to excellence has long distinguished him in the world of motorsports and beyond,” said Marcia G. Taylor, President and CEO, Bennett International Group LLC, a 2017 Horatio Alger Award recipient who nominated Childress for the Award. “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.”

Richard Childress Joins A List of Impressive Horatio Alger Recipients In 2026

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 support 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.”

How The Horatio Alger Association Helps Others

Through the example of its members, the Horatio Alger Association helps young people envision the opportunities made possible through the American free-enterprise system. Since 1984, the Association has awarded need-based scholarships to high school students who are committed to continuing their education and giving back to society, despite facing serious adversity in their lives. Funded entirely by the generosity of its members and supporters, the Association has provided more than $275 million in scholarships to 38,000 students, in addition to academic, professional, and wellness support services.

“The Members of the Horatio Alger Association are individuals who represent the boundless possibilities for human achievement in a free society. Horatio Alger Members have faced significant challenges, and yet, have achieved great success through resilience and service to others,” said Lesley Albanese, Chief Executive Officer of the Horatio Alger Association. “The 2026 Horatio Alger Award recipients exemplify this special bond that joins the Association. They are an inspiration to our Scholars, and I look forward to working with them to help advance the Association’s vital mission to ensure the American Dream for future generations and to promote the importance of the free-enterprise system.”

Richard 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. The annual ceremonies coincide with the Horatio Alger National Scholars Conference, which gives more than 100 students the unique opportunity to explore the nation’s capital and to meet and learn from Association Members.