Veteran NASCAR crew chief Rodney Childers will take on the role of JR Motorsports crew chief in 2026, overseeing the No. 1 Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series. Childers will work with drivers Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil as the team looks to strengthen its presence in the coming season.
Childers Joins JR Motorsports for a New Chapter
Rodney Childers, based in Mooresville, North Carolina, brings an impressive track record to his new role with JR Motorsports. Previously, Childers spent a decade at Stewart-Haas Racing, notably partnering with Kevin Harvick to secure 37 Cup Series victories and the 2014 championship. His career then included a stint with Josh Berry at Stewart-Haas Racing, followed by a move to Spire Motorsports in 2025, where he worked with Justin Haley. That partnership ended unexpectedly during the Easter break when Spire Motorsports announced Childers’ departure.
Driver Lineup for the No. 1 Chevrolet
The No. 1 Chevrolet has been a competitive presence, with Carson Kvapil reaching the 2025 playoffs in the car. However, there is some uncertainty about Kvapil’s schedule for the upcoming year, as a shift to part-time driving would affect his playoff eligibility. JR Motorsports has not yet confirmed the specifics of Kvapil’s role for next season. Connor Zilisch is slated to move up to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026, which will provide Kvapil a chance to run most of the Xfinity Series schedule with Childers’ leadership.
Childers’ Expertise and the Xfinity Series Environment
Rodney Childers is widely regarded as having one of the sharpest minds in the sport, leading to high expectations at JR Motorsports. After his recent exit from Spire Motorsports, Childers quickly became a sought-after name within the NASCAR community, as fans and other teams speculated about his impact on struggling drivers. While the current NextGen Cup car has posed challenges that limit a crew chief’s influence, the Xfinity Series’ technical setup is considered more suitable for someone with Childers’ skills.
Future Announcements and Team Plans
JR Motorsports has stated it will share details about the rest of its driver and crew chief lineup at a later date. For now, bringing Rodney Childers on board signals a strategic move for the organization as it adapts to ongoing changes in driver schedules and seeks to maximize performance in the Xfinity Series.
As the NASCAR community watches developments at JR Motorsports, Rodney Childers’ appointment is likely to influence team strategies and the competitive landscape as the 2026 season approaches.
