Last week the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has designated a 5.5-mile stretch of I-85 in Davidson County that spans from U.S. 64 to Lake Road.

In addition to his NASCAR team, Childress also owns a Vineyard in Lexington that was recently dubbed one of America’s Top 25 Tasting Rooms by Wine Enthusiast.

With more than 500 local jobs created and over $100 million directly invested into the local economy, Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett feels that Childress deserves it.

“Richard has been a great contributor to the sport of automobile racing, North Carolina’s growing wine industry and the economy of Davidson County,” stated Tippett. “Naming this stretch of I-85 for him is a fitting tribute to the many ways he has given back to this state and its communities.”

"I've already been asked by several people, 'What are you going to do with the speed limit?'" Childress quipeed, "What do you do in racing, go as fast as you can."