In a major development for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, veteran crew chief Rodney Childers will be joining JR Motorsports in 2026, taking on the role of crew chief for both Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch. This marks a significant shift in the team lineup and has sparked widespread attention in Connor Zilisch crew chief news among fans and industry insiders. The confirmation came directly from Dale Earnhardt Jr., with Childers later sharing his excitement publicly.
Childers himself confirmed the news by sharing JR Motorsports’ official announcement on X and adding his personal message to fans and colleagues:
“So excited to be joining all the men and women @JRMotorsports .. To have the opportunity to work with @Carson_Kvapil and @ConnorZilisch is a dream come true. Thank you to @DaleJr @EarnhardtKelley and Mr H for giving me this opportunity!”
– Rodney Childers, Crew Chief
This move comes after a decades-long professional connection between Childers and members of the Earnhardt family. According to coverage by Forbes, Childers cited his 30-year friendship with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt as a key reason for making the switch, emphasizing how impressed he has been with the culture and achievements at JR Motorsports.
Childers’ Extensive Experience and Zilisch’s Performance Highlight JR Motorsports’ Ambitions
Rodney Childers will lead the No. 1 car, currently driven by Carson Kvapil. While Kvapil has yet to score a win this season, the rookie has demonstrated steady performance with six top-five and thirteen top-ten finishes. Meanwhile, Connor Zilisch has quickly made a name for himself during his debut full Xfinity season with nine wins and sixteen top-five results, raising expectations for the team in upcoming races.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not hold back his enthusiasm when speaking about the hiring of Childers, underlining the mutual history and ambition they share:
“Rodney and I grew up together and have known each other since we were kids,”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
He added,
“We’ve always had interest in working together in motorsports and I’m thankful that this opportunity came about and we could bring him into the JRM family.”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Childers brings with him a remarkable record, including 40 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series and a 2014 Cup championship secured alongside Kevin Harvick. His most recent role was with Justin Haley at Spire Motorsports; prior to that, he was part of Stewart-Haas Racing, helping to navigate team transitions such as Harvick’s retirement and Josh Berry’s arrival. With this new position at JR Motorsports, Childers steps back into a highly competitive and stable team environment, guided by the leadership of Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Weighs In on Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin Incident
Away from the crew chief announcement, Dale Earnhardt Jr. addressed a heated moment between Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin during the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire. The pair made contact while battling for eleventh place, culminating in Hamlin spinning Gibbs just past lap 110. Earnhardt Jr. analyzed the clash on his Dale Jr. Download podcast, offering insight into the dynamics between the teammates.
He questioned Gibbs’ judgment and team play, especially given the playoff implications for Hamlin:
“Was it necessary for Denny to wreck him into the wall? Yeah, probably not. But damn it, gotta look at Ty’s history. He’s not been a great teammate at times,”
Earnhardt Jr. said.
Earnhardt Jr. commented further on the importance for drivers outside the playoffs to support their advancing counterparts, noting:
“So Denny is right in saying, ‘Look, man, you know you’re not in the playoffs. We are. You’re our teammate. Like, you’ll totally let him go… I’m totally gonna make myself as****e by running him hard, even for a couple corners.’”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The incident has brought additional scrutiny to Joe Gibbs Racing’s internal relationships during a critical stage in the playoffs. All attention now shifts to the upcoming Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on September 28, where team dynamics will once again be tested in the Round of 12.
What This Means for JR Motorsports and NASCAR
The addition of Rodney Childers to the JR Motorsports crew signals a strong intent from the organization to further solidify its position in the Xfinity Series. Childers’ wealth of experience, alongside promising talents like Carson Kvapil and the standout Connor Zilisch, suggests the team is aiming for a new competitive peak in 2026 and beyond. For Zilisch, especially, the assignment of a championship-winning chief marks a pivotal moment in his burgeoning career. With established partnerships among Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt, and industry veterans, expectations are high for JR Motorsports to shape race outcomes and team strategy at the highest levels of competition.
As anticipation builds, fans and insiders will be closely watching how the dynamic between Childers, Kvapil, and Zilisch develops, and whether their combined efforts translate into on-track success during one of the most competitive eras in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series.
So excited to be joining all the men and women @JRMotorsports .. To have the opportunity to work with @Carson_Kvapil and @ConnorZilisch is a dream come true.
Thank you to @DaleJr @EarnhardtKelley and Mr H for giving me this opportunity! 👊🏼🏁 https://t.co/b8gEbLuA7Q— Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) September 24, 2025
