Childers, former NASCAR champion with Harvick, new team boss in Xfinity

Rodney Childers Finds New Destination at JR Motorsports

After his departure from Spire Motorsports in April, Rodney Childers, known for leading Kevin Harvick to the 2014 Cup Series championship, has found a new position. Childers will assume the crew chief role at JR Motorsports, in the Xfinity Series, for the No. 1 Chevrolet, which will be shared by Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch. It will be Childers’ first time as a crew chief in the Xfinity Series.

“Rodney’s resume and career speak for themselves,” commented Dale Earnhardt Jr., co-owner of JR Motorsports. “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 remains so to this day. We have always had an interest in working together in motorsports, and I am grateful that this opportunity has presented itself and we have been able to bring him into the JRM family.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Childers worked with Justin Haley at Spire, but the team parted ways with him when both the driver and crew chief stated that the relationship wasn’t working. Childers achieved 40 victories and a Cup title at Stewart-Haas Racing with Harvick, and then worked with Josh Berry in 2024, when Harvick retired. That was the last year of Stewart-Haas Racing’s existence.

Jusan Hamilton Leaves NASCAR

NASCAR confirmed that it has ended its working relationship with race director Jusan Hamilton, with six races remaining to finish the season. Hamilton is no longer listed as a NASCAR employee, where his official title was general manager of competition operations. Hamilton joined NASCAR as an intern in 2012 and returned in 2016 under various roles. He oversaw NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, pit crew development, and NASCAR’s iRacing professional divisions, in addition to serving as a race director. Hamilton was fundamental in the elaboration of both the annual calendar and the calendar for each race weekend. His first event as race director was in 2018 at Pocono Raceway. In 2022, Hamilton became the first black race director to officiate the Daytona 500.