Hutchens Named Dale Earnhardt VP Of Competition

August 12, 2008 9:16 p.m. EST

Mooresville, NC (AHN) -- Dale Earnhardt Inc. is looking to step up its performance so it has hired Bobby Hutchens as its vice president of competition.

Hutchens was previously general manager of Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines, but now will oversee all DEI competition efforts, including its four Sprint Cup teams. "We are very pleased to have Bobby Hutchens join our team at Dale Earnhardt Inc.," said DEI Vice President of Motorsports Operations John Story. "Bobby will make a strong addition to Dale Earnhardt Inc. He brings two decades worth of experience and a tremendous amount of knowledge to our race teams. This is another piece of the puzzle that we feel will definitely further strengthen our organization."

Hutchens graduated from North Carolina State with a mechanical engineering degree in 1982 and has managed and developed RCR's research and development program.

He also worked with engineering, engines, engine R&D, manufacturing, chassis R&D and aerodynamics programs for Richard Childress Racing until he was named general manager of ECR Engines in May 2007. "I'm very excited about becoming a part of Dale Earnhardt Inc. Hopefully in the next few weeks and months we can begin to chart a path that will see Dale Earnhardt Inc. win a lot of races and compete for championships,'' said Hutchens. "I feel that my experience at RCR will be a great benefit and pay big dividends in both the areas of car and engine development. Hopefully at the end of the day we'll all be very happy with what we are able to accomplish."

Hutchens started at RCR in 1989 as a member of the No. 3 GM Goodwrench team with driver Dale Earnhardt and worked his way from team engineer to shop foreman to crew chief.