Childress' mother passes away at 79

HAMPTON, Ga. -- Just hours after signing Kevin Harvick and Goodwrench to a contract extension, team owner Richard Childress received news that his mother had died.

Virginia Hodge, a resident of East Bend, N.C., was 79. She passed away Saturday night after a brief illness, according to a team press release.

Childress flew back to North Carolina on Sunday morning to be with family.