Rodney Childers, a celebrated and championship-winning NASCAR crew chief, has opted not to partner with Kyle Busch as speculated, instead choosing a new role with JR Motorsports for the 2026 season. Childers’ decision reshapes expectations for the Kyle Busch NASCAR crew chief discussion, especially with ongoing changes at Richard Childress Racing.
Childers Turns Down Role with Kyle Busch at Richard Childress Racing
Earlier this year, fans and insiders anticipated that Rodney Childers might join forces with Kyle Busch at Richard Childress Racing (RCR), particularly after Childers announced he would leave Spire Motorsports. Many believed this partnership could rejuvenate Busch’s Cup Series performance. However, those hopes were set aside as Childers confirmed he will not be heading to the RCR No. 8 pit box, despite the upcoming departure of Busch’s current crew chief Randal Burnett, who is set to join Connor Zilisch at Trackhouse Racing in 2026.
New Chapter with JR Motorsports in NASCAR’s Second Tier
JR Motorsports revealed that Childers will serve as crew chief for their No. 1 Chevrolet in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starting in 2026. This position will see him working with both Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch, who are slated to share driving duties in the car. The move represents Childers’ debut as a crew chief in NASCAR’s second-highest division, after a rich history at the Cup level. Most recently, Childers oversaw the No. 7 Chevrolet with Spire Motorsports in the Cup Series, but he is best remembered for his leading role with Kevin Harvick and Josh Berry at Stewart-Haas Racing.
Champion Crew Chief’s Impressive Career and Shift in Priorities
Childers’ record as a crew chief includes 40 Cup race victories and a landmark period with the Childers-Harvick partnership. Between 2014 and Kevin Harvick’s retirement in 2023, the pair claimed 37 wins, 148 top-five finishes, 230 top-10s, and reached the Championship 4 on five occasions, highlighted by their 2014 title. This era positioned them as one of NASCAR’s most dominant combinations. Despite these achievements, Childers cited a personal reevaluation for his decision to step into a different racing sphere. He explained:
“For me, the last couple of months, I just started to look at things differently. I always felt like I needed to prove something and needed to win more Cup championships or the Daytona 500, but then I realized there is more to life than that… I will learn a lot more about myself next year as we go along. Maybe I really love having Sundays at home. Maybe it’s really going to bother me that I’m not out there when I get home and they’re still racing on Sundays.”
— Rodney Childers, Crew Chief
Further reflecting on the current Cup Series environment, he stated:
“Maybe that will make me want to go add a Truck Series championship before I’m dead… The Cup garage is just in a different place right now, with a lot of teams either set or wanting to try something else.”
— Rodney Childers, Crew Chief
Limited Cup Options Lead to New Opportunity
With several Cup organizations—including RCR—not extending an offer, Childers’ decision to join JR Motorsports gained clarity. He discussed this change in mindset:
“I always felt like I needed to prove something (in Cup) … but then I realized there is more to life than that.”
— Rodney Childers, Crew Chief
Childers’ search for his next chapter included scouting visits to iconic tracks like North Wilkesboro, Richmond, and Darlington, as he weighed offers and future career paths.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Welcomes Childers to JR Motorsports
Dale Earnhardt Jr., JR Motorsports team owner, expressed enthusiasm about bringing Childers into the organization, highlighting both his extensive credentials and a long-standing personal connection. Junior commented:
“Rodney and I grew up together and have known each other since we were kids. That’s a relationship that has always been close and has remained close to this day. We’ve always had an 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., JR Motorsports Owner
Implications for the Cup Series and the Future
Rodney Childers’ decision to turn down the much-anticipated role as Kyle Busch’s NASCAR crew chief signals a significant shift, both personally for Childers and for the structure of several key NASCAR teams. His move to JR Motorsports aligns him with respected figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and promising talents such as Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch. While the Cup Series faces changes, especially with Burnett’s departure and Childers’ absence, JR Motorsports stands to gain from Childers’ vast experience and strategic acumen. The motorsports community will closely watch how these changes unfold in 2026 and beyond, as Childers shapes his next legacy away from his Cup Sundays.
Rodney Childers spoke with @Motorsport about the decision to join JRM, and how his perspective has changed in recent months.
🗣️ “I always felt like I needed to prove something (in Cup) … but then I realized there is more to life than that."https://t.co/9jDEDiz4ZZ
— Motorsport (@Motorsport) September 24, 2025
