Torrey Galida Named Vice Chairman; Richard Childress to Remain Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
WELCOME, N.C. (February 13, 2025) – Richard Childress Racing announced this week several key executive leadership appointments as the storied organization kicks off the 2025 NASCAR season.
After serving as chief operating officer for over a year, Mike Verlander has been promoted to president of the championship motorsports company. In his new role, Verlander is responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations of RCR Enterprises, LLC, including RCR’s NASCAR race team, as well as RCR Manufacturing Solutions, RCR Graphics, ECR Engines, and Childress Technologies. Verlander will report to Richard Childress, chairman and chief executive officer, and will also become a member of the Board of Directors for RCR.
As a 20-year veteran of the motorsports industry, Verlander has previously held executive leadership positions at both Kyle Busch Motorsports as president and Stewart-Haas Racing as executive vice president.
“I am extremely thankful to Richard and Judy for this opportunity to lead RCR as we continue to expand our operations within the motorsports industry and beyond,” said Verlander. “Having Torrey close by as an advisor while I make this transition is invaluable. I’m ready to build up on the great things achieved by Torrey and the whole leadership team. Great days are coming for our employees, partners, fans, and all stakeholders.”
Galida, who has served as president since 2014, has been named vice chairman. As the first person other than Childress to carry the title of president, Galida has led RCR’s growth for the past fourteen years.
“I have been honored to play a role in RCR’s success during my tenure as president,” said Galida. “I can’t thank Richard and Judy, and the entire organization, enough for the past fourteen years and I feel lucky to have been part of this team. I’m looking forward to this next chapter of my career where I can focus on key strategic operations within the RCR organization and continue to make an impact.”
Galida will remain with the company as an advisor to both Childress and Verlander through the end of 2025. Galida will also retain his seat on the Board of Directors for RCR.
“Torrey has been a tremendous asset to RCR in his role as president,” said Childress. “He has been a strong leader and helped us navigate many changes and challenges over recent years. I am proud of the work that he has done and the direction he has led the organization. He will continue to contribute to our future.
“Mike has also done a great job this past year in his role as chief operating officer as he has learned all aspects of our organization”, said Childress. “He has a clear vision for our future and will foster a culture that inspires our entire team. I look forward to seeing our continued growth under his leadership.”
All new roles are effective immediately.
For more information, please visit rcrracing.com.
Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 16 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2025 NASCAR Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch (No. 8 Chevrolet) and 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet). RCR fields a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series program with Jesse Love (No. 2 Chevrolet) and Austin Hill (No. 21 Chevrolet).
Source: Richard Childress Racing
