HUTCHENS NAMED COMPETITION VP AT DEI
Dale Earnhardt Inc. has named Bobby Hutchens vice president of
competition. Hutchens, who previously served as general manager of
Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines after a long tenure with Richard
Childress Racing, will oversee all competition efforts at Dale Earnhardt
Inc., including its four NASCAR Sprint Cup teams. Hutchens is also a
veteran Modified driver and a regular on the NASCAR Whelen Southern
Modified Tour.
Hutchens’ new position came as the result of a joint decision
between DEI and RCR. The championship-winning NASCAR racing
organizations have a long history of successful collaboration including,
among others, ECR Engines and the RAD aerodynamics program that also
included Andy Petree Racing.
“We are very pleased to have Bobby Hutchens join our team at Dale
Earnhardt Inc.,” said DEI Vice President of Motors ports Operations John
Story. “Bobby will make a strong addition to Dale Earnhardt Inc. He
brings two decades worth of experience and a tremendous amount of
knowledge to our race teams. This is another piece of the puzzle that we
feel will definitely further strengthen our organization.”
Hutchens, who graduated from North Carolina State University with a
degree in mechanical engineering in 1982, is highly regarded in Sprint
Cup racing for his research, development and computer testing
accomplishments. Hutchens has managed and developed all facets of RCR’s
R&D program, while overseeing RCR’s engineering, engines, engine R&D,
manufacturing, chassis R&D and aerodynamics programs. He was named
general manager of ECR Engines when the program was put together in May
2007.
He started at RCR in 1989 as a member of the No. 3 GM Goodwrench
team with driver Dale Earnhardt. During his 20-year career at RCR, Hutch
ens worked his way from team engineer to shop foreman to crew chief and,
eventually to vice president of competition.
“I’m very excited about becoming a part of Dale Earnhardt Inc.,”
said Hutchens. “Hopefully in the next few weeks and months we can begin
to chart a path that will see Dale Earnhardt Inc. win a lot of races and
compete for championships.
“I feel that my experience at RCR will be a great benefit and pay
big dividends in both the areas of car and engine development,” added
Hutchens. “Hopefully at the end of the day we’ll all be very happy with
what we are able to accomplish.”
In addition, Hutchens helped co-develop the Hutchens Device, a
driver head-and-neck safety restraint system utilized in motorsports.
Dale Earnhardt Inc., based in Mooresville, N.C., employs more than
350 people at its two state-of-the-art campuses. Dale Earnhardt Inc. is
comprised of four Sprint Cup teams featuring drivers, Paul Menard,
Martin Truex Jr., Regan Smith, Mark Martin and Aric Almirola. The
organization has amassed more than 100 wins, and has won six NASCAR
Championships as well as three Daytona 500s. In addition,
Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies, a joint engine venture between
Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Richard Childress Racing, employees more than
125 people.
