Rodney Childers has officially joined Dale Earnhardt Jr JR Motorsports as crew chief for the No. 1 Chevrolet, beginning with the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season at Daytona International Speedway. The arrival of Childers, a seasoned crew chief with championship pedigree, marks a significant transition for the team, as they seek to build on a record-breaking 2025 campaign and reach new heights in the evolving NASCAR landscape.
Childers Takes Over as Crew Chief Amid Team Restructuring
Rodney Childers steps into the No. 1 Chevrolet role, filling the position left by Andrew Overstreet. Overstreet transitions to the No. 7 team alongside driver Justin Allgaier, while former Allgaier crew chief Jim Pohlman departs for the Cup Series, joining Richard Childress Racing to work with Kyle Busch. Childers arrives following his recent tenure with Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Cup entry and is well regarded for his past championship success at Stewart-Haas Racing with Kevin Harvick.
On social media, Childers openly expressed his enthusiasm about his new workplace and team atmosphere:
“Have I mentioned how much fun I’m having?!? I wake up at 3am every morning just waiting to be able to go to work. In the afternoons I don’t even want to leave. We have an incredible group! I can’t wait to go racing with @JRMotorsports !! 👊🏼👊🏼🏁 @NASCAROReillyAP @DAYTONA”
— Rodney Childers, Crew Chief
Kelley Earnhardt, team co-owner, responded to Childers’ excitement with a message of her own:
“Awesome to hear!”
— Kelley Earnhardt, Co-Owner
A Historic 2025 Season Sets the Stage for Change
JR Motorsports heads into 2026 after a standout year, notching an all-time team high of 17 wins in the previous season—beating their former benchmark of 15. Drivers Connor Zilisch, Justin Allgaier, and Carson Kvapil each made it to the Championship 4 at Phoenix, underlining the depth and strength of JRM’s racing program. Despite their dominance, the squad narrowly missed the ultimate prize as Jesse Love from Richard Childress Racing overtook in a dramatic late-race move to seize the championship, delivering a bittersweet end to JRM’s 2025 efforts. Zilisch, however, closed his rookie season on a high note with 10 total victories and the Regular Season title.
New Driver and Car Assignments for 2026
The 2026 season brings a revamped driver rotation for Dale Earnhardt Jr JR Motorsports. Rodney Childers’ arrival coincides with his first collaboration with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt’s organization. The No. 1 Chevrolet will be shared by Carson Kvapil, who is scheduled to run the majority of the calendar, and Connor Zilisch, who will also drive full-time in the Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing. When not in the No. 1, Kvapil will drive the team’s No. 9 entry.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. previously addressed questions about these roster changes, stating:
“One thing that’s sort of been kind of talked about, Carson Kvapil full time, we made that announcement that he would be driving in every race next year. And yes, he’ll be driving JR Motorsports cars. And we do have a fifth entry here. People forget we got a fifth car here.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
Elsewhere in the lineup, Sammy Smith continues in the No. 8 JRM Chevrolet. The No. 9 will feature Trackhouse Cup competitors Shane van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain as Kvapil’s scheduling permits. The No. 88 entry remains focused on driver development, with Rajah Caruth splitting his efforts between JR Motorsports and Jordan Anderson Racing throughout the season.
Daytona 500 Ambitions and Cup Series Goals
Looking ahead to 2026, Kelley Earnhardt has hinted at ambitions beyond Xfinity racing. JR Motorsports plans a return to the NASCAR Cup Series, entering Justin Allgaier in the prestigious Daytona 500 at the wheel of the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet. Allgaier, a seasoned driver, finished tenth the previous year and will face a tight field with eight open cars competing for only four qualifying spots. The team will retain key personnel, including crew chief Greg Ives, to support this effort.
On the team’s Cup Series vision, Kelley Earnhardt explained:
“Still looking at opportunities and what that looks like. And the Daytona 500, it’s kind of a race your way in. It’s the biggest race of our season and the most opportunity financially to come out of there in a good place with the partner and with sponsorship.”
— Kelley Earnhardt, Co-Owner
She reiterated that while Xfinity racing is still the core of the organization, a future full-time leap into the Cup Series remains under consideration:
“Would we like to be Cup racing? We certainly would. It’s something from a legacy standpoint. But the right opportunity just hasn’t come forward yet.”
— Kelley Earnhardt, Co-Owner
What Lies Ahead for JR Motorsports?
JR Motorsports is set to open its 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign on February 14, with the United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway, a 120-lap, 300-mile race broadcast live on The CW. With Rodney Childers’ proven expertise, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s enhanced program, and a roster brimming with talent like Carson Kvapil, Connor Zilisch, Sammy Smith, Shane van Gisbergen, Ross Chastain, and Rajah Caruth, the organization appears well positioned to chase another record-breaking season and establish itself among NASCAR’s leading contenders. Their ongoing expansion, including possible Cup Series investment, signals JR Motorsports is aiming not only for race wins but for long-term influence and legacy in American stock car racing.
Have I mentioned how much fun I’m having?!?
I wake up at 3am every morning just waiting to be able to go to work. In the afternoons I don’t even want to leave. We have an incredible group!
I can’t wait to go racing with @JRMotorsports !! 👊🏼👊🏼🏁@NASCAROReillyAP @DAYTONA pic.twitter.com/NfszZmnZ01— Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) January 31, 2026
