NASCAR Today: Vice President JD Vance Visits Richard Childress Ahead of Key North Carolina Speech

Politicians and motorsports have a long, colorful history, where the roar of engines meets the roar of crowds in ways that blend policy with passion. In 2004, President George W. Bush turned heads at the Daytona 500, stepping into the spotlight as grand marshal and delivering the timeless “Gentlemen, start your engines!” to a sea of 180,000 fans. It was a savvy re-election play, tapping into NASCAR’s massive Southern and swing-state pull, where the sport’s blue-collar vibe and high-stakes drama made it a perfect stage for connecting with everyday Americans.

Fast-forward to 2020, President Donald Trump followed suit, serving as grand marshal for that year’s Daytona 500. He led a ceremonial lap in the presidential motorcade, gave the start-your-engines command, and praised the fans and the “spectacle of speed and competition.” These visits weren’t random. Now, in 2025, Vice President JD Vance is stepping into that tradition, visiting Richard Childress Racing in North Carolina on September 24 ahead of a key speech in Concord.

Vance met Richard Childress

The stop was a private event, with Vance’s 25-vehicle motorcade rolling up to RCR’s shop, flanked by local first responders like North Carolina state troopers, Greensboro firefighters, and Forsyth County paramedics.

It wasn’t Vance’s first brush with NASCAR. Richard Childress hosted him at the October 2024 Charlotte ROVAL and Trump at the May 2024 Coca-Cola 600, plus a pre-2025 Daytona 500 meetup.

RCR, with its storied No. 3 legacy from Dale Earnhardt and over 200 wins across NASCAR’s top three series, plus 14 championships, made for a fitting backdrop. The team fields two full-time Cup cars, No. 3 with Austin Dillon and No. 8 with Kyle Busch, and two in Xfinity, a powerhouse that aligns with Vance’s North Carolina swing.

Earlier this month, RCR dipped into politics with tribute stickers for conservative activist Charlie Kirk on their Cup and Xfinity cars after his death on September 10 in Utah. It’s a move that fits Childress’ history of blending racing with personal beliefs, from his 2017 anthem protest stance to hosting Trump and Vance.

The visit comes amid a packed playoff weekend, with the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway setting the Round of 12 opener. For Vance, it’s a chance to rally in a racing hotbed, connecting with fans and teams like RCR that embody NASCAR’s grit.

Vance’s RCR visit lands amid big news for the team: Randall Burnett, Kyle Busch’s crew chief since 2023, is heading to Trackhouse Racing for 2026 to lead Connor Zilisch’s No. 99.

Who’s going to crew chief Kyle Busch now?

The split, confirmed September 23, ends a partnership with three wins but no playoff berths in two years, Busch’s longest drought. Busch’s 2025 has been rough, with career-low top-fives (two), laps led (62), and 22nd in points, leaving him on the verge of setting marks he’d rather forget.

At 40, he’s not washed up like some say; Harvick won a title at that age, and Johnson won his seventh at 41. But RCR has to find a new boss to unlock Kyle Busch’s fire. Burnett’s a steal for Zilisch, the 19-year-old phenom with 10 Xfinity wins in 30 starts.

Burnett’s résumé includes six Busch wins with Tyler Reddick and Allmendinger’s best Cup year in 2016, making him underrated gold. For RCR, it’s a scramble. Social media is wild with trades like Ty Gibbs’ seat, but Busch’s contract ties him to the No. 8 through 2026.

The smart play? An in-house vet or a free agent like Rodney Childers, Harvick’s ex-champ with 40 Cup wins. RCR’s pattern of value hires, like Justin Alexander for Dillon, leans toward Brian Pattie, who meshed with Busch in Trucks. Whatever the pick, it has to reignite Busch’s legacy before time runs out.