EScott,
No particular reason. It's just the way it's been done for a long time in this area. Ranges, Dryers and Dishwashers have been mostly all Hardwired in the past. It's just recently that Receptacles/Cord & Plugs are coming into Fashion. This is probably due to the Fact that the people delivering Appliances now will not (or are told not to) disconnect/reconnect hardwired appliances anymore. Just this year I put in my first-ever Receptacle for a Dishwasher because of this. I don't even remember ever seeing one before.
Bill
