Spire Motorsports driver Justin Haley has opened up about Rodney Childers’ sudden exit just nine races into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Haley revealed that he wasn’t involved in the team’s decision and only found out about it one day before the official announcement, which shocked fans and the NASCAR community.
After Stewart-Haas Racing closed its doors, Spire Motorsports hired the championship-winning crew chief Childers to lead the #7 Chevy team. Initially, Childers was expected to work with Corey LaJoie, but plans shifted during the playoffs last year as Haley took LaJoie’s place. However, after only nine race weekends together, Haley and Childers parted ways this season.
In a recent statement, Justin Haley indicated that the decision to let Childers go stemmed from a lack of fit between the crew chief and the team, rather than on-track results. He emphasized, “Nothing super wrong stood out in the veteran crew chief’s performance,” pointing to the complex dynamics often present in team sports. The #7 driver learned of the decision following a team meeting on Tuesday, April 22, just ahead of the formal announcement on Wednesday, April 23. Despite the circumstances, he expressed that he wasn’t entirely surprised by the change in the fast-paced world of NASCAR.
Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire Motorsports, weighed in on the situation, clarifying that the exit wasn’t motivated by performance metrics but rather by compatibility issues. He noted that the energy and communication within the #7 Chevy team were misaligned, prompting the team to utilize the off weekend as a strategic moment to end the partnership. This decision, while sudden, illustrates the demanding nature of team dynamics and the necessity for cohesion in a high-stakes sport.
In recent weeks, Childers faced additional challenges, having lost his car chief, Cheddar Smith, to Joe Gibbs Racing, along with some members of the #7 pit crew to Kyle Larson‘s team. Regardless of these changes, Justin Haley remains in 23rd place in the points standings, indicating they had begun the season on a relatively solid note, despite the turmoil surrounding the team.
Shortly after the news broke, Rodney Childers issued a personal statement addressing the situation. He acknowledged the shock that many felt regarding his exit but asserted that the partnership simply wasn’t the right fit for either side. He expressed gratitude to Spire and Chevrolet and wished continued success for Haley’s #7 team, indicating his respect for the sport and his commitment to its future.
Childers, a championship-winning crew chief with a track record of 40 top-level race wins—many achieved with Stewart-Haas Racing and driver Kevin Harvick—has not rushed into signing with another team. He mentioned taking some personal time to spend with his loved ones, hinting at a reflective pause rather than an immediate jump into a new role.
The departure of Rodney Childers from Spire Motorsports marks a pivotal moment in the NASCAR season, with implications for both the #7 team and Childers’ future. It raises questions about the evolving dynamics within NASCAR and what the next steps will be for Justin Haley as they navigate this unexpected transition ahead of the upcoming races.
