Childers, Cup champion, new crew chief in Xfinity Series

Rodney Childers Finds New Direction at JR Motorsports

Rodney Childers, known for leading Kevin Harvick to the NASCAR Cup championship in 2014, has found a new challenge in his sporting career. Following his departure from Spire Motorsports in April, Childers joins JR Motorsports. Childers will assume the crew chief role in the Xfinity Series for the No. 1 Chevrolet, which will be shared by Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch. This will be the first time Childers has served as a crew chief in the Xfinity Series.

“Rodney’s resume and track record 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 continues to be so to this day. We have always had an interest in working together in motorsports, and I am grateful that this opportunity came about and we could bring him into the JRM family.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr., Co-owner of JR Motorsports

Childers previously worked with Justin Haley at Spire, but the relationship came to an end. Previously, he achieved 40 victories and a Cup title with Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing. Then, he worked with Josh Berry in 2024, the last year of Stewart-Haas Racing’s existence.

NASCAR and Jusan Hamilton: End of an Era

NASCAR announced the separation of Jusan Hamilton, race director, 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 began his NASCAR career as an intern in 2012 and returned in 2016, performing various roles. He oversaw NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, the development of pit crews, and the NASCAR iRacing divisions, in addition to being a race director. Hamilton played a crucial role in defining the annual calendar and that of each race weekend. His first event as race director was in 2018 at Pocono Raceway. In 2022, Hamilton became the first African-American race director to officiate the Daytona 500.