Peters, 26, of Providence, N.C., raced the past two seasons in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Bobby Hamilton Racing. He was the 2004 Late Model champion at South Boston (Va.) Speedway and earned consecutive Late Model championships the previous two seasons (2002-03) at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, N.C. He also earned 10 World Karting Association national championships in a driver career that began at age seven.

“Richard Childress Racing is an organization that has been on its game for a long time and knows how to win championships,” said Peters. “I have confidence in myself with the opportunity Richard has given me to showcase my talents. I know it’s going to be tougher than what I’m used to but I adapt pretty well to new challenges and will enjoy getting in there and learning a few things. All it’s going to do is make me a better driver.”

A determination is forthcoming as to which of RCR’s Busch teams he will drive for. RCR is also scheduled to field a car for Peters in the Oct. 7 ARCA race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

“We see a lot of potential in Timothy and look forward to giving him the opportunity to showcase his talents in the NASCAR Busch Series, said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. “We’ll get him in an ARCA car at Talladega to get his feet wet and get a head start on next season.”

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 130 victories and nine NASCAR championships, including six in the NEXTEL Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. It was the first organization to win championships in the NEXTEL Cup Series, Busch Series and Truck Series. Its 2006 NEXTEL Cup Series lineup includes Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel’s), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 GM Goodwrench/Reese’s) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 Cingular Wireless). Its Busch Series lineup includes Clint Bowyer (No. 2 ACDelco), Harvick and Burton (No. 21 Coast Guard) and Burton (No. 29 Holiday Inn).