Carson Hocevar, in a recent discussion, shed light on Spire Motorsports‘ surprising decision to relieve Rodney Childers of his job as the No. 7 team’s crew chief. The announcement came earlier this week, leaving many shocked. However, according to Hocevar, those within the organization knew strategic, aggressive moves were part of their DNA.
Hailing from Talladega, Hocevar underscored he was not taken aback by the decision. “Within the organization, talking to them, it’s not a surprise for me,” he said. Despite the shockwave the decision caused outside, inside the industry, it doesn’t seem to have been a complete surprise.
Spire Motorsports is known for making impactful moves and this was no different. The force behind these decisions is Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of the team, who doesn’t hesitate to make radical changes if they serve the long-term goals. Hocevar reiterated his faith in Dickerson’s judgement, stating such changes will be advantageous for all.
The decision to part ways came in the wake of the Easter break and after analyzing the season’s first nine races. Jeff Dickerson remarked, “We took the opportunity to discuss the best paths forward for everyone involved, and the team and Rodney agreed that it would be best for us to part ways.”
Rodney Childers is revered in the industry, having won the Cup Series championship in 2014 with Kevin Harvick. His release, therefore, raised eyebrows. Hocevar’s insistence that this decision should not surprise those familiar with the operations of Spire Motorsports was met with surprise by his teammate, Justin Haley, who admitted he was stunned by the news.
Haley, who had been working with Childers since the season’s start, revealed he had no involvement in the decision. “I showed up Tuesday, and we had our normal Tuesday 8 AM meeting… And then after my meetings on Tuesday, I was notified,” he shared. Accepting the unpredictability of the sport, Haley hopes to build chemistry with Ryan Sparks, Childers’ replacement.
While changes like the release of Childers create buzz and speculation, it seems for industry insiders like Carson Hocevar, such moves are part of the fabric of Spire Motorsports. As the discussion settles, the industry and fans alike await to see how these changes play out on the track.
