DEI and RCR join forces on engine

Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies is the new joint venture partnership that will see both teams running the same Chevrolet engines, starting with the summer races at Daytona in July.

It had been rumoured that DEI was trying to get into some kind of deal with Robert Yates Racing to switch from Chevrolet to Ford power for 2008, but today's announcement puts and end to these speculations.

"With the direction this sport has taken over the last few years, Teresa and I began talking about ways we could partner together to gain a competitive advantage and, at the same time, expand our resources," said Richard Childress.

"Both RCR and DEI have proven that a three-car team can build their own engines and compete at the top, and combining the resources of both companies gives us even greater efficiencies and the competitive advantages we're looking for."

Construction of a permanent facility located between RCR and DEI will begin later this summer, with completion expected by mid 2008. Until then, all the development work will be divided between the current shops of both teams.

The partnership has long-term plans to create an engine-leasing programme for NASCAR teams in Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Trucks Series and is also looking at diversifying into providing engines to teams competing in other series, like the Rolex.

"It is a great day for us to be able to work closely again with Richard and RCR," said DEI owner and CEO Teresa Earnhardt.

"Both of us are in the middle of developing and building Chevrolet's new R07 engine, so this is a perfect time to establish this company to combine resources and work together to get the most out of this package possible.

"Richard and I both have committed substantial resources to this new company, and we share the No. 1 priority to win championships."

This is not the first time RCR and DEI have worked together in a technology partnership. Back in the late 90s, RAD - an acronym for the three teams owned by Richard Childress, Andy Petree and Dale Earnhardt - was formed as an aerodynamic consortium between the programmes.

The partnership was considered wildly successful, with the three teams dominating the aerodynamically sensitive restrictor plate tracks Daytona and Talladega for the next few years.

Dale Earnhardt and Childress earned six of Earnhardt's seven Cup titles together at RCR. Since Earnhardt replaced Childress behind the wheel of RCR's  No. 3 Chevrolet for the final 10 races of the 1981 season, the combination scored 67 victories.