Spire Motorsports has announced that it has parted ways with Rodney Childers, the Cup-winning crew chief, after just nine races into the 2025 NASCAR season. The split, described as a mutual decision by both parties, unfolded at a time when the racing community expected a quiet Easter break, making it one of the biggest surprises in recent NASCAR developments. Citing differences in performance and direction, Spire Motorsports determined that moving forward without Childers was in the best interest of the team and the No. 7 Chevrolet squad.
Rodney Childers, a veteran with a reputation for success including the 2014 Cup championship, was brought in to lead Spire Motorsports’ efforts this year. However, as the season progressed, it became apparent to both Childers and the team that the results and chemistry they had hoped for simply weren’t materializing. Despite initial optimism, both sides acknowledged that the partnership was not yielding the expected performance or team cohesion.
Reflecting on the decision, Childers stated, “It doesn’t bother me as badly as I thought it was going to because I didn’t really feel it was working either. It just fell apart. Like I said, they were super good to me while I was there, they’re good people, they have a good race team, it was fun to be in the shop with the truck guys, and I’m going to miss a lot of those guys over there. But overall, it’s time to think about things and move on.” These words show a mix of disappointment and respect, highlighting both the challenges and positives he experienced at Spire Motorsports.
Looking ahead, Rodney Childers is optimistic and already plotting his return to the NASCAR Cup Series. “I want to be a crew chief in the Cup Series, like I’ve been. I want to get past 700 races (on my resume). I want to get to that 50-win mark,” he said. At the moment, most teams are set with their crew chief lineups so early in the season, making an immediate new assignment unlikely, but Childers isn’t discouraged. He has expressed that he intends to spend the next six months with his family while keeping his sights on new opportunities and the desire to work once again with a top-tier team and driver. “I want to be with a good team and a good driver who can win races. I want that to be clear. I’m looking forward to figuring that out over the next six months and hopefully getting back in victory lane,” Childers added.
Spire Motorsports, known for bold decisions regarding personnel, will now move forward with a new crew chief for the No. 7 car. The team’s willingness to make difficult changes—even involving a championship-winning leader—underscores its ambition to rise as a competitive force in the Cup Series. For Childers, the end of this brief partnership may be the opening for a major comeback, as he sets his sights on more victories and career milestones.
The mutual but unexpected parting marks a period of uncertainty for both Spire Motorsports and Rodney Childers, yet it carries the potential for major rebounds. Spire Motorsports faces the challenge of quickly reinvigorating its team dynamic, while Childers seeks the right fit to continue his successful run at the highest level of stock car racing. As the NASCAR season advances, the eyes of fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see just where this pivotal change leads both the team and the respected crew chief.
