Kirk Shelmerdine
Encyclopedia
Kirk Shelmerdine is a NASCAR
driver and former championship-winning crew chief
for the late Dale Earnhardt
.
to become the crew chief for Dale Earnhardt
. Earnhardt had 46 wins, 142 Top 5 finishes, and 246 Top 10 finishes en route to four championships with Kirk. The pit crew won four consecutive Pit Crew Titles over the next eight years. His accomplishments include being the youngest crew chief
to win a NASCAR
race, and the youngest crew chief
to win a Winston Cup Title. In 1992, he announced he was retiring from his crew chief
duties, and embarked on a racing career on his own to pursue his dream of being a driver.
. Shelmerdine has run a total of two Craftsman Truck Series
races with a best finish of 17th at Bristol in 1995. He has also run 12 Busch Series
races with a best finish of 17th in 1994 at Daytona
for Levin Racing.
career actually started in 1981 in a race at College Station (Texas World Speedway
, where owner/driver James Hylton
brought out a 2nd car (#8) for Shelmerdine to drive. After two laps, he quit and finished 33rd of the 34 cars. His next start would come at Talladega Speedway in 1994 for Jimmy Means
. Shelmerdine finished 26th in the #52 Ford. He started his own Cup team in 2002 and ran races at Talladega
, Loudon and Pocono, but he was primarily a "field filler" driver (a driver filling up otherwise empty spots in the field).
2004
was a breakout year for Shelmerdine, as he attempted all 36 races as an owner, 32 as a driver. As team owner he had other drivers fill in for him at selected tracks: Tom Hubert
at Infineon and Watkins Glen, Brad Teague
at the fall Bristol race, and Ted Christopher
at the July Loudon race. Shelmerdine's best finish would be a 37th at Michigan. His car qualified 18 races but completed none of them.
2005
was a step back. The team qualified for only three races (Infineon with Hubert, Loudon with Christopher, and Pocono with Shelmerdine). Shelmerdine finished 42nd in the Pocono race with heating conditions ending his day 192 laps short of the finish.
He started out 2006
on a better note. He was rolling his car on to his hauler after failing to qualify high enough in his qualifying race for the Daytona 500
. A NASCAR official stopped him, and informed him that he qualified for his first Daytona 500 by gaining the final spot with his qualifying speed. He finished in 20th place on the lead lap, the best finish of his Cup career. His performance gained media attention as he said if he did not qualify, he'd sell his race team because he was extremely low on money. He was using a motor from Richard Childress
(in exchange for a displaying a sponsorship decal). His tires had been donated by a family of Dale Earnhardt fans. He had no full-time pit crew, only his loyal team mates such as Phil Harris, J.V. Daniels and a few others.
Kirk's plans for the rest of 2006 were limited, however he did race at Talladega. He qualified 22nd, and was having a good run when he wrecked early in the race. Shelmerdine finished 40th. Since then, he has attempted to qualify for the Coca Cola 600 but failed to make the race after a qualyifing crash, his next appearance was at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona where he made the show but fell out early and finished 43rd.
On December 22, 2006, the Federal Election Commission sent an "admonishment letter" to Shelmerdine was a response to him for running with a Bush/Cheney decal on his car in 2004.
Kirk drove the Richard Childress Racing
#33 in the 2008 Daytona testing sessions and was to be entered in the 2008 Daytona 500
. He plans to attempt a number of races during the 2009 season after buying Toyotas from Bill Davis Racing
. Shelmerdine will use Tom Hubert
for road courses and New England staple Ted Christopher
for Loudon.
It was announced on August 26, 2010, that on September 14, 2010, the assets of Kirk Shelmerdine Racing will be sold at Public Auction at the team's basis in Welcome, North Carolina. Shelmerdine stated the reason for the closure is lack of sponsorship and technology provided for independent teams.
Shelmerdine currently resides in Welcome, North Carolina
, and is the father of two children.
Team Members: Phil Harris- Crew Chief, J.V. Daniels- Public Relations, Marketing & Pit Support
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver and former championship-winning crew chief
Pit stop
In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tires, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, or any combination of the above...
for the late Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was an American race car driver, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR...
.
Crew chief
In 1982 he joined Richard Childress RacingRichard Childress Racing
RCR Enterprises, LLC, doing business as Richard Childress Racing, is a NASCAR team based in Welcome, North Carolina, and is owned and operated by former driver Richard Childress...
to become the crew chief for Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was an American race car driver, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR...
. Earnhardt had 46 wins, 142 Top 5 finishes, and 246 Top 10 finishes en route to four championships with Kirk. The pit crew won four consecutive Pit Crew Titles over the next eight years. His accomplishments include being the youngest crew chief
Pit stop
In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tires, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, or any combination of the above...
to win a NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
race, and the youngest crew chief
Pit stop
In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tires, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, or any combination of the above...
to win a Winston Cup Title. In 1992, he announced he was retiring from his crew chief
Pit stop
In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tires, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, or any combination of the above...
duties, and embarked on a racing career on his own to pursue his dream of being a driver.
Driving career begins
He started running in the ARCA series in 1993 where he has three career wins. He has since run in all the top levels in NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
. Shelmerdine has run a total of two Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
races with a best finish of 17th at Bristol in 1995. He has also run 12 Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
races with a best finish of 17th in 1994 at Daytona
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
for Levin Racing.
Cup driving career
Shelmerdine's Nextel CupNEXTEL Cup
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing . The series was originally known as the Strictly Stock Series and Grand National Series . While leasing its naming rights to R. J...
career actually started in 1981 in a race at College Station (Texas World Speedway
Texas World Speedway
Texas World Speedway was built in 1969 and is one of only seven superspeedways of two miles or greater in the United States, the others being Indianapolis, Daytona, Pocono, Talladega, Auto Club, and Michigan. TWS is located on approximately 600 acres on State Highway 6 in College Station, Texas....
, where owner/driver James Hylton
James Hylton
James Harvey Hylton is a part-time race car driver. He is a two-time winner in NASCAR and competes in the ARCA RE/MAX Series,finishing 16th in points in 2006. He made headlines while attempting to qualify for the 2007 Daytona 500 at age 72...
brought out a 2nd car (#8) for Shelmerdine to drive. After two laps, he quit and finished 33rd of the 34 cars. His next start would come at Talladega Speedway in 1994 for Jimmy Means
Jimmy Means
James "Jimmy" Means is a former Winston Cup/Nextel Cup owner/driver. Currently, he is an adviser for Front Row Motorsports and owns his own team, Means Racing. He competed in NASCAR for eighteen years in mostly his own equipment, posting seventeen career top-tens...
. Shelmerdine finished 26th in the #52 Ford. He started his own Cup team in 2002 and ran races at Talladega
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama, United States. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base just outside the small city of Lincoln. It was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in...
, Loudon and Pocono, but he was primarily a "field filler" driver (a driver filling up otherwise empty spots in the field).
2004
2004 in NASCAR
The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season began on Saturday, February 7 and ended on Sunday, November 21. Kurt Busch with Roush Racing driving a Ford was the Nextel Cup champion....
was a breakout year for Shelmerdine, as he attempted all 36 races as an owner, 32 as a driver. As team owner he had other drivers fill in for him at selected tracks: Tom Hubert
Tom Hubert
Tom Hubert is an American road course racer.Hubert was born in Cottonwood, California. He most recently worked as a rear tire changer and a mechanic for Bill Davis Racing's #22 Sprint Cup team, before the team closed down, and also occasionally races road courses for various teams...
at Infineon and Watkins Glen, Brad Teague
Brad Teague
Brad Teague is a veteran of the NASCAR Busch Series and the Nextel Cup Series. He was born November 9, 1947 in Buladean, North Carolina. He resides in Johnson City, Tennessee.- Nationwide Series :...
at the fall Bristol race, and Ted Christopher
Ted Christopher
Ted Christopher , from Plainville, CT is an American racing driver who has raced and won in many different types of race cars, including Modifieds, SK Modifieds, Camping World East Series, Late Models, Pro Stocks, Midgets, and Supermodifieds. He has also raced in NASCAR's Sprint Cup, Nationwide...
at the July Loudon race. Shelmerdine's best finish would be a 37th at Michigan. His car qualified 18 races but completed none of them.
2005
2005 in NASCAR
The 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series began on Saturday, February 12. The ten race Chase for the Nextel Cup started with the Sylvania 300 on Sunday, September 18, and ended on Sunday, November 20, with the Ford 400....
was a step back. The team qualified for only three races (Infineon with Hubert, Loudon with Christopher, and Pocono with Shelmerdine). Shelmerdine finished 42nd in the Pocono race with heating conditions ending his day 192 laps short of the finish.
He started out 2006
2006 in NASCAR
The 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season started at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 12 with the Bud Shootout and ended on Sunday, November 19 with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Chase for the NEXTEL Cup began with the Sylvania 300 on Sunday, September 17 at New Hampshire...
on a better note. He was rolling his car on to his hauler after failing to qualify high enough in his qualifying race for the Daytona 500
2006 Daytona 500
The 2006 Daytona 500 was the first race in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. It took place on February 19, 2006 at Daytona International Speedway.-Qualifying and Gatorade Duels:...
. A NASCAR official stopped him, and informed him that he qualified for his first Daytona 500 by gaining the final spot with his qualifying speed. He finished in 20th place on the lead lap, the best finish of his Cup career. His performance gained media attention as he said if he did not qualify, he'd sell his race team because he was extremely low on money. He was using a motor from Richard Childress
Richard Childress
Richard Childress is a former NASCAR driver and the current team owner of Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. As a business entrepreneur, Childress became one of the wealthiest men in North Carolina...
(in exchange for a displaying a sponsorship decal). His tires had been donated by a family of Dale Earnhardt fans. He had no full-time pit crew, only his loyal team mates such as Phil Harris, J.V. Daniels and a few others.
Kirk's plans for the rest of 2006 were limited, however he did race at Talladega. He qualified 22nd, and was having a good run when he wrecked early in the race. Shelmerdine finished 40th. Since then, he has attempted to qualify for the Coca Cola 600 but failed to make the race after a qualyifing crash, his next appearance was at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona where he made the show but fell out early and finished 43rd.
On December 22, 2006, the Federal Election Commission sent an "admonishment letter" to Shelmerdine was a response to him for running with a Bush/Cheney decal on his car in 2004.
Kirk drove the Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing
RCR Enterprises, LLC, doing business as Richard Childress Racing, is a NASCAR team based in Welcome, North Carolina, and is owned and operated by former driver Richard Childress...
#33 in the 2008 Daytona testing sessions and was to be entered in the 2008 Daytona 500
2008 Daytona 500
The 2008 Daytona 500 was the 50th annual running of "The Great American Race", the Daytona 500. The race took place on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The race was the 50th to be run since the first in 1959, won by Lee Petty. To commemorate...
. He plans to attempt a number of races during the 2009 season after buying Toyotas from Bill Davis Racing
Bill Davis Racing
Bill Davis Racing was a racing team that participated in all three of NASCAR's top divisions until 2009.The team had run Toyota-branded stock cars and trucks in both the Camping World Truck Series and Sprint Cup Series since 2007. Dodge, Ford, and Pontiac previously backed the team...
. Shelmerdine will use Tom Hubert
Tom Hubert
Tom Hubert is an American road course racer.Hubert was born in Cottonwood, California. He most recently worked as a rear tire changer and a mechanic for Bill Davis Racing's #22 Sprint Cup team, before the team closed down, and also occasionally races road courses for various teams...
for road courses and New England staple Ted Christopher
Ted Christopher
Ted Christopher , from Plainville, CT is an American racing driver who has raced and won in many different types of race cars, including Modifieds, SK Modifieds, Camping World East Series, Late Models, Pro Stocks, Midgets, and Supermodifieds. He has also raced in NASCAR's Sprint Cup, Nationwide...
for Loudon.
It was announced on August 26, 2010, that on September 14, 2010, the assets of Kirk Shelmerdine Racing will be sold at Public Auction at the team's basis in Welcome, North Carolina. Shelmerdine stated the reason for the closure is lack of sponsorship and technology provided for independent teams.
Shelmerdine currently resides in Welcome, North Carolina
Welcome, North Carolina
Welcome is a census-designated place in Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,538 at the 2000 census. It is nationally known as the home of NASCAR's Richard Childress. The town motto is "Welcome to Welcome, A Friendly Place," as posted on the welcoming sign...
, and is the father of two children.
Team Members: Phil Harris- Crew Chief, J.V. Daniels- Public Relations, Marketing & Pit Support