TC Daily Pit Stop: Richard Childress Racing Makes Competition Leadership Appointments; Jake Garcia Shifting to No. 98 at ThorSport
TC Daily Pit Stop: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Richard Childress Racing Reveals Competition Leadership Appointments for Cup Program
On Wednesday morning, Richard Childress Racing pulled back the curtain on the competition leadership within the organization’s NASCAR Cup Series program heading into the 2026 season. Among the many confirmed appointments, Mike Dillon has been named Chief Operating Officer, where he will focus on competition administrative functions.
According to a press release from the team, Dillon will focus on an emphasis on recruiting and retaining top talent in the industry.
In addition to Dillon’s assignment, John Klausmeier has been named the technical director, which will have him focus on competition leadership at Richard Childress Racing. Klausmeier will oversee all vehicle systems engineering, design, and metrology.
Andy Street has been named performance director for the organization. In this role, Street will focus on research and development and will have the goal of increasing overall on-track performance across the company.
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Jake Garcia Shifting to ThorSport No. 98 in 2026
ThorSport Racing, a championship-winning team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, has re-signed driver Jake Garcia to compete full-time once again in 2026.
Garcia will take over the reins of the No. 98 Ford F-150 for the upcoming season, replacing Ty Majeski, who has been shuffled to the team’s No. 88 Ford F-150 in place of Matt Crafton, who is stepping back from full-time Truck Series competition.
“Curb Records is a proud partner with ThorSport Racing for our 17th year in the No. 98 Ford F-150, and we’re excited to welcome Jake Garcia behind the wheel for the 2026 NASCAR Truck season,” said Mike Curb, Founder of Curb Records.
Quanta Services will return as Garcia’s primary partner for the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign, marking the third year of its partnership with ThorSport Racing, and now continuing its support of the driver in the No. 98 program.
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Other NASCAR Headlines:
Distributor Wire & Cable Joins RCR for Multi-Car Partnership
Free Bird Southern Spring Water Sponsoring Briscoe in Three Races
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to Make Truck Series Debut, in Two-Race Stint with Niece Motorsports
NASCAR’s Yeley, Gibbs, and Creed Advanced to Chili Bowl Prelim A-Main on Tuesday
Chili’s Inks Multi-Year Sponsorship Extension with Spire, Hocevar
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Dillon's focus on retaining talent is lowkey genius for RCR's competition future. I remember when teams would just shuffle staff around without thinking about long-term retention, and it alwyas hurt their consistancy. Breaking out roles like technical director and performance director creates clear accountability instead of the usual everyone-does-everything chaos.