Rodney Childers spent the past summer rethinking what truly matters in racing and life. After leaving Spire Motorsports in April, the 49-year-old crew chief shifted from chasing another NASCAR Cup Series title to spending Sundays with his family and guiding young talent. Now, with a fresh perspective and a championship pedigree, Childers will join JR Motorsports in 2026 as crew chief for the No. 1 Xfinity Series car shared by Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch, balancing competitive fire with a renewed personal focus.
Key Highlights
- Rodney Childers leaves Spire Motorsports after nine Cup races in 2025.
- Wins four Late Model Stock races with Kevin Harvick and Landen Lewis this season.
- Joins JR Motorsports as 2026 crew chief for the No. 1 Xfinity car with Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch.
- Embraces more family time while remaining open to future Cup or Truck opportunities.
- Seeks to blend veteran leadership with the development of next-generation drivers.
A Season of Change and Reflection
Childers admits his priorities have shifted. After departing Spire Motorsports and driver Justin Haley, he initially focused on finding a path back to the Cup Series. But with no immediate offers, he returned to his Late Model Stock roots, teaming with Kevin Harvick and young driver Landen Lewis to win four races and lead the championship standings. Weekends at home with wife Katrina and sons Brody and Gavin gave Childers a new sense of balance.
“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.” – Rodney Childers
The JR Motorsports Opportunity
Childers’ openness to different roles led to a conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt-Miller. They offered him the crew chief role for the No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in 2026, a ride shared by Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch. The chance to work with two promising drivers while using proven equipment made the decision easy.
“This is basically the old car that we had a lot of success with, Sundays at church with Katrina and the boys, racing with two really exceptional young drivers and I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough.” – Rodney Childers
Childers acknowledges he’s not closing the door on a future Cup return, but he recognizes that few crew chiefs remain on Cup pit boxes past 50.
Balancing Family and Competitive Drive
Though he relishes the idea of more Sundays at home, Childers remains motivated to win. He envisions adding an Xfinity championship to his 2014 Cup title and possibly exploring a Truck Series challenge in the future.
“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
Childers respects peers like Mardy Lindley, who transitioned successfully from Late Model racing to a leading role in the Xfinity Series, showing that veteran crew chiefs can thrive outside the Cup garage.
Leadership and Expectations
Childers knows the expectations at JR Motorsports are high. He plans to draw from his experience with Kevin Harvick, where accountability and communication were key to success.
“When I raced with Kevin, if we didn’t win, it was my fault. I need to be the one to figure out what my driver needs, because we have the cars and the drivers. This car is my responsibility. That means getting the most out of it, finding the right people, and making it go fast. It needs to win.” – Rodney Childers
His approach aims to provide Kvapil and Zilisch with confidence and guidance, much like he once did for Josh Berry on his path to the Cup Series.
News in Brief: Rodney Childers Finds the Sweet Spot Between Racing and Life
Rodney Childers, a 2014 NASCAR Cup Series championship crew chief, will lead JR Motorsports’ No. 1 Xfinity team in 2026 with drivers Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch. After leaving Spire Motorsports, Childers spent the summer winning four Late Model races with Kevin Harvick and Landen Lewis while enjoying family time. At 49, he values balance but remains driven to win and guide young talent. Watch for Childers as he blends veteran insight with the next generation. Follow JR Motorsports for updates and 2026 season highlights.
ALSO READ: Rodney Childers Unemployed for 2026, Fans Have Strong Opinions
