Spire Motorsports Announces Shocking Departure with Rodney Childers After Only 9 Races
Spire Motorsports has parted ways with 20-year veteran Rodney Childers after serving as crew chief for the No. 7 Cup Series team for nine races, an announcement Wednesday confirmed. According to multiple reports, the departure was mutual, and neither party harbors any hard feelings regarding the shocking decision. Childers served as Kevin Harvick’s crew chief from 2014 until Harvick’s retirement in 2023 from Stewart-Haas Racing.
With Childers’ aid, Harvick amassed 37 wins, the most ever in the team’s 16-year history. After Harvick’s retirement, Childers remained with the team until 2024 as Josh Berry’s crew chief until its dissolution tore him away. Rodney Childers was left scrambling to find a new team during the off-season until Spire approached him to work alongside Justin Haley.
Since Childers joined Spire in February, Haley has significantly improved compared to 2024. So far this season, the No.7 Driver secured his best finish at Homestead-Miami, finishing P10 after a P21 start. His second-best came recently at Bristol with a P10 start and P13 finish in the SciAps 300. So, why the sudden departure?
Spire Motorsports Statement
In the wake of Rodney Childers’ departure from Spire Motorsports, co-owner Jeff Dickerson released a statement to clear up any concerns. He contended that NASCAR is an ever-evolving sport, and the necessity for improvement comes with that. It’s thought that the break between Bristol and Talladega allowed him to evaluate possible improvements. Unfortunately, it seems parting ways with Childers factored into that.
However, Dickerson did not discount that Rodney Childers has been an asset to the sport and knows what it takes to produce a winning team. It’s unclear whether Spire Motorsports has chosen an interim crew chief to replace Childers, yet two names are swirling. Competition director Ryan Sparks and Brad Keselowski’s long-time crew chief at RFK Racing and director of vehicle performance, Matt McCall.
“Rodney has worked at the highest level of the sport for 20 years, and he knows what it takes to win championships. With that in mind, we collectively acknowledge challenges with the team dynamic,” Jeff Dickerson said.
“Having the right combination of talent is just as important as the results on track. As we move in a new direction, it is not lost on us that Rodney has been an invaluable asset to our organization, as he will continue to be for others in this sport,” he concluded.
Rodney Childers Speaks Out
Over the years, Childers has been a significant part of the success of many teams in the Cup Series apart from Stewart-Haas Racing. The teams he is most well-known for are Penske Jasper Racing in 2003, Evernham Motorsports from 2006 to 2007, and Michael Waltrip Racing in 2008. Therefore, the news of his separation from Spire Motorsports shocked fans and the NASCAR community. Following Spire Motorsports’ Statement, Childers has spoken out regarding the split. He started by mentioning that life isn’t perfect, and chalked up the untimely departure as part of his life’s purpose.
He continued praising Spire Motorsports for contributing to his career and its collaborative efforts to improve Justin Haley’s on-track skills. Concluding his statement, he thanked NASCAR’s officials and fans for their part in his storied success as reassurance that his journey is far from over. It’s no coincidence that Haley’s peak in performance has occurred since Rodney Childers entered the picture earlier this year. This leaves many fans scratching their heads, but there’s no question he’ll cap a fresh start in 2026.
“I know this is a shock. But also know that not everything works out perfect all the time. That’s how life works. This was just one of those things that just wasn’t working for either of us. I appreciate my time at Spire, working with Justin Haley and the entire 7 team,” he said of his departure from Spire Motorsports.
“We did a lot of good that is yet to be seen, and I wish them the best in the future. Also want to say thank you to everyone at Chevrolet, Mr. Rick Hendrick, and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports for my time working with them again,” he said.
Rodney Childers concluded his statement by saying, “It was a pleasure. Thank you to NASCAR, the officials, and most importantly, the fans for your support. For me, I’m going to take a little time and focus on the important things like my family and friends. And honestly, just see what the racing world holds for me next. I know the man above will lead me in a direction that is best for me.”
Final Thoughts
The news of Rodney Childers’ split from Spire Motorsports has sent an undeniable shockwave through NASCAR. Even so, the veteran crew chief who has had a fruitful career spanning nearly two decades is not throwing in the towel just yet. With his track record of producing winners like Michael Waltrip and Kevin Harvick, it’s undeniable that another team’ll snap him up. Currently, there is no information regarding Childers’ future plans.
