Rodney Childers, the celebrated NASCAR crew chief, expressed a strong desire to make a return to the sport during his appearance on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, reigniting speculation about a possible Kevin Harvick and Rodney Childers NASCAR reunion in the future. After a turbulent season and early release from Spire Motorsports, Childers is looking ahead with renewed commitment to the racing world.
Rodney Childers Opens Up About His Determination to Return
Speaking candidly on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Childers revealed that stepping away from the pit box has only increased his hunger to compete at the top level once again. He made it clear that if offered another opportunity in NASCAR, he would approach it with complete dedication and a drive to outperform rivals.
“I just want to smash them, I really do.”
—Rodney Childers, NASCAR Crew Chief
Childers elaborated on how removing distractions from his personal life has helped him refocus on his racing ambitions.
“It’s put me in a situation where I just want to prove a point. Over time, I had accumulated some things. As you know, I like going and running UTVs and doing different things. Over this time, I’ve got rid of every distraction that I have. I have no more distractions. The only distractions I have are a family and kids, and maybe going to a cross-country meet,”
he added. —Rodney Childers, NASCAR Crew Chief
A Look Back at an Iconic Partnership
Childers is perhaps best known for his fruitful partnership with Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing, where the duo captured the 2014 Cup Series championship. Their teamwork resulted in 36 points-paying wins out of Harvick’s 60 career victories, making their collaboration one of the most successful in recent NASCAR history. When Harvick retired in 2023, the crew chief transitioned to lead Josh Berry before joining Spire Motorsports.
Spire Motorsports Stint and Separation
Following the end of his run at Stewart-Haas Racing, Childers joined Spire Motorsports to guide Justin Haley for the 2025 season. Despite this promising new start, his time with the #7 Spire team was brief—ending after just nine races due to internal challenges and a strained team environment. During this stretch, the team achieved a lone top-10 finish with Haley at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The team’s performance after Childers’ departure, with Ryan Sparks stepping in as crew chief, included a top-5 and two top-10s across 28 races, while Carson Hocevar managed a second-place result at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Renewed Energy and Commitment for a NASCAR Comeback
At 49, Childers maintains that he is more determined and focused than ever, stating his readiness for the next crew chief opportunity.
“Whenever this next opportunity comes about, it’s going to be 24/7. I’m not going to lay down. I’ll be the first one there and the last one to leave. We’ll see what happens from there.”
—Rodney Childers, NASCAR Crew Chief
Childers’ remarks followed a recent social media exchange, where, after congratulating Chase Briscoe on a win at Darlington Raceway, he admitted how much he misses the adrenaline of high-level competition and the responsibilities of leadership.
“I miss competing, yes, every single day. I miss being a leader like I was good at. I know I can still do it better than most, and I’m more determined now than ever.”
—Rodney Childers, NASCAR Crew Chief
What’s Next for Rodney Childers and NASCAR?
The racing community remains attentive to Childers’ next steps, as his proven record alongside figures like Kevin Harvick makes any potential reunion headline news. His statements have sparked renewed anticipation that a dedicated and distraction-free Childers could soon be back guiding a leading NASCAR team. As teams look ahead to future races and possible staffing changes, Childers’ rallying spirit and established credentials make him one of the most intriguing free agents in the Cup Series garage.
