Kip Childress Named Executive Director of Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour

Kip Childress, a well-known veteran of the motorsports industry, has been named the executive director of the Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour, the sanctioning body announced on Monday. In this role, Childress will work alongside CARS Tour Series Director Jack McNelly in overseeing operations and track events, starting this week.

The 52-year-old is a third-generation official who has spent the last 14 years with NASCAR in various capacities across its regional touring series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and most recently the NASCAR Cup Series, as the assistant director.

During that tenure with NASCAR, and in prior years, Childress has developed professional relationships with the members of the CARS Tour ownership group Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, and Justin Marks.

“Kip’s professionalism and positive attitude is going be a huge benefit for the CARS Tour,” said Kevin Harvick. “He is well respected within the industry and is very passionate about this role. We’re happy to have him.”

The addition of Childress is the latest in a series of strategic moves by the CARS Tour ownership group aimed at solidifying a robust sanctioning body and reinforcing the CARS Tour as the Southeast's premier asphalt Late Model Series for years to come.

"I can't think Dale, Jeff, Kevin, and Justin enough for this opportunity," said Childress, a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. "Jack and the entire CARS Tour staff have done an outstanding job growing the series, and I can't wait to jump right in to help keep the momentum going. The future of the CARS Tour is extremely bright."

Now in its ninth season of operations, the CARS Tour is at the midpoint of its 19-race schedule this season. The series' next event will feature the Pro Late Models at Wake County Speedway on July 8. All races are live-streamed on FloRacing.

Image Courtesy of Lesley Ann Miller (via Kip Childress, Twitter)