Childress always keeps his house in order. (Insider: NASCAR).

Richard Childress can relate to what Cardinals manager Tony La Russa experienced after the death of pitcher Darryl Kile.

As the leader of an organization, you don't have time to mourn. The season goes on, whether you're prepared or not. Sometimes you have to flip on the auto pilot switch. That's what Childress did last season after Dale Earnhardt's death. Childress lost more than a key player the team depended on. He lost a friend he shared two decades and six championships with.

For R.C., an accomplished equestrian and racer, getting back on the horse wasn't easy. There were mornings in March and April of last year when he thought about packing his bags ...