The state fair has been one of the most closely watched events of the summer as states continue to step back from participating. Amidst all of this, the NASCAR team owner Richard Childress is all set to join the event. 

The "Great American State Fair" is all set to kick off this weekend as a part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration. U.S President Donald Trump will headline the fair.  The event will feature over 150 stalls, businesses, innovators, and civic organizations, blue ribbon livestock competitions, movies, music, military ensembles, among others.

However, several of the states have opted out of the fair, one of them being North Carolina. On Monday, June 22, the Sports Business Journal Motorsport reporter, Adam Stern, reported that the state will be represented by the NASCAR team Richard Childress Racing, along with another vehicle company, Spevco.

In a statement released by a spokesperson for North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, the same was also revealed.

"He is glad that our state will be represented at the fair by two North Carolina companies," the spokesperson said as reported by the Hill. "Two hundred and fifty years ago, North Carolina led the way to American independence, and Governor Stein is pleased to honor our state’s First in Freedom legacy."

Childress founded the NASCAR team back in 1969 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. What started as a one-man team has now expanded into a multi-faceted organization with the 80-year-old at the helm of it all. Both his grandsons, Austin and Ty Dillon, have been actively involved in keeping the company running. 

As reported by the North State Journal, Richard Childress Racing is providing the No. 3 car and a racing simulator.

All six states, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Washington, Illinois, Oregon and Connecticut, said budget constraints factored into their decision not to attend the fair.

With Richard Childress all set to represent the company on a national scale, it is a testament to how far the company has grown. However, the chatter about the future of the company still continues. 

Richard Childress reveals who could lead RCR in the future

Over the years, Richard Childress has been the driving force behind the success of RCR. However, in recent years, there has been a lot of talk about the future of the organization. With Austin Dillon and his brother Ty Dillon closely involved in the business, it is very clear that the business will be passed down to one of the brothers. 

During an interview on June 6, 2026, as posted by Cup Scene on YouTube, Richard Childress was questioned about Austin Dillon taking over the company in the future.

“Yes, he and Ty Dillon both went up the next day and talked to the whole company the next morning, and I see a role with them being involved both of them," he replied.

The team owner further explained that he wants to keep the business as a family operation.

“ Austin, he's the general manager over the Carolina Cowboys, and he's learning how to deal with a sanctioning body," he said. "And Ty's involved a lot as well. He's there with us. So, it's a family operation, and we're doing our best to keep it like that.”

While Childress did not reveal who would head the company, Austin Dillon has been a strong contender due to his role as general manager at the Richard Childress co-owned Carolina Cowboys.

While they have yet to name the successor, what do you think of Richard Childress Racing's journey representing North Carolina? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Daytona Racing Digest.

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar