Dale Jr. and JR Motorsports are reinforcing the Kevin Harvick NASCAR legacy by bringing on Rodney Childers, Harvick’s longtime crew chief, for the team’s upcoming 2026 season. This major team shift, which follows a period of impressive success for JR Motorsports, was confirmed after a standout year for the team’s drivers in the Xfinity Series, and it promises to reshape competition at the top level of stock car racing.
The decision follows an electrifying run in 2025, where Connor Zilisch set a new standard by achieving nine victories in his rookie year, Justin Allgaier captured the previous season’s championship and secured three race wins, and another rookie, Carson Kvapil, climbed to fourth in points. Dale Jr., determined not to lose this winning momentum, sought out Harvick’s trusted partner to further build on the team’s progress and culture of success.
Rodney Childers Brings Experience and Determination to JR Motorsports
Rodney Childers, renowned for his partnership with Kevin Harvick during the Stewart-Haas Racing era and an impressive collection of 40 Cup Series wins, briefly faced an uncertain future after parting ways with Spire Motorsports in early 2025. Childers had been brought on as Justin Haley‘s crew chief, but the collaboration ended unexpectedly after just nine races.
Despite this setback, Childers rekindled his passion and expertise in Harvick’s CARS Tour, working closely with Landen Lewis to achieve four wins and push Lewis to championship contention in Late Model Stock Car racing. Throughout this period, his impressive track record and desire to win never waned.
Dale Jr. noticed Childers still had a competitive fire, especially after seeing him engage with NASCAR Truck Series teams about potential positions. Recognizing an opportunity, Dale Jr. acted decisively by offering Childers a critical role at JR Motorsports for the 2026 season, aligning the championship-winning crew chief with rising talents Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch.
Expressing his excitement, Childers shared his thoughts on joining the team:
“Obviously, the last 12 months haven’t been the way that we wanted to go, but everything happens for a reason. And when Dale called me, we sat down and talked about this. I was blown away. What Dale means to me, what Kelly means to me, what Mr. H means to me. It’s just a dream come true. When you can have talent in the seed with Carson and Connor both, it’s going to be a ton of fun. To be in the building with so many racers, so many people that I’ve already worked with, already have relationships with, and I have a ton of respect for. It’s just going to mean a lot.”
– Rodney Childers, Crew Chief
Childers further emphasized his commitment to excellence:
“To me, it’s really about winning races.”
– Rodney Childers, Crew Chief
He reflected on his racing philosophy, stating,
“To me, it’s really about winning races. You know, I’m just at that point in my life, especially after working with Kevin Harvick for the amount of time that I did. I said that before Kevin retired, it’s gonna be hard to ever replace this. And I really feel like what we have for 2026 is one of those situations that’s just gonna be a lot of fun. Really competitive, and just something that you wake up every single morning ready to do.”
– Rodney Childers, Crew Chief
Legacy of Kevin Harvick Fuels Ambition at JR Motorsports
Kevin Harvick retired at the end of the 2023 Cup Series season after a legendary career that included a championship and 37 victories with Stewart-Haas Racing. As the 2014 Cup Series titleholder, his partnership with Rodney Childers became one of the most successful combinations in the NASCAR Cup Series garage. Harvick’s influence continues to inspire current strategies and future planning within JR Motorsports, with Childers now poised to play a pivotal role in guiding new generations of drivers.
Childers’ return to full-time NASCAR competition, especially with a team enjoying a streak of success, draws excitement from fans and industry professionals alike. With strong, emerging talents such as Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil, and with Justin Allgaier’s consistent performance as well, the team is positioned for a fierce challenge in the seasons ahead.
Justin Allgaier’s 2024 championship and continued wins, Zilisch’s record-breaking rookie debut, and Kvapil’s impressive points ranking show the strength of Dale Jr.’s driver roster. Childers’ arrival as crew chief is expected to help sustain, and possibly elevate, this performance as the team eyes even greater triumphs. The fusion of top-tier experience and rookie energy signals new chapters for the Kevin Harvick NASCAR legacy.
Concerns Over NASCAR’s Veterans and Changing Storylines
While optimism surrounds the next stages of Childers’ and JR Motorsports’ journeys, attention also turns to the shifting fortunes of other stars. Notably, Kyle Busch—once a regular in Victory Lane and a source of rivalry with Kevin Harvick—has seen his dominance fade in recent seasons. The last victory for Busch came at Gateway in June 2023, and he hasn’t contended for a championship since 2019, after his title win with Joe Gibbs Racing.
The situation troubles Harvick, who expressed his feelings on a recent podcast:
“We all want to see Kyle Busch win,”
– Kevin Harvick, Retired Champion
Despite their rivalry, Harvick admitted,
“As much as I’ve gone through moments where I hate Kyle Busch. I’ve hated Kyle Busch with a passion at moments. That’s all come full circle, and we’re very much able to communicate and have a good relationship.”
– Kevin Harvick, Retired Champion
Harvick further commented on Busch’s recent struggles:
“But I can’t imagine Kyle Busch going out like this. It’s bad for everything, bad for the sport. It’s bad for him, bad for everything that says Kyle Busch. I hate to see where it’s at.”
– Kevin Harvick, Retired Champion
Harvick’s sense of loss over Busch’s changing status points to a broader theme in NASCAR: as the sport evolves, legends must make way for new faces, while their legacies continue to shape the trajectories of teams and young drivers.
What the Future Holds for JR Motorsports and NASCAR
The addition of Rodney Childers to JR Motorsports’ leadership is a significant step, building not only on Kevin Harvick’s rich NASCAR legacy, but also bolstering optimism for sustained success. With Childers’ knowledge and winning résumé, and with drivers like Allgaier, Zilisch, and Kvapil ready to compete at the highest level, the team seems well-positioned to remain a dominant force in both the Xfinity Series and future Cup Series ambitions.
This evolving storyline, highlighted by experienced veterans and emerging superstars, exemplifies how connections between individuals, such as Harvick and Childers, continue to influence the sport. As the organization focuses on capturing more championships and expanding its winning tradition, the legacy established by legends like Kevin Harvick takes on renewed meaning for NASCAR fans and the broader American sports audience.
1⃣ "To me, it's really about winning races."@RodneyChilders4 calls joining @JRMotorsports a "dream come true" for 2026, is looking forward to hitting the ground running and chasing more checkered flags with @ConnorZilisch and @CarsonKvapil.
More → https://t.co/MKhd9eLpQA pic.twitter.com/ab8b2rQUeO
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) September 24, 2025
