Childers, Cup Champion, New Crew Chief in Xfinity Series

Rodney Childers Finds New Direction at JR Motorsports

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

Rodney’s resume and track record speak for themselves. 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 been interested in working together in motorsports, and I am grateful that this opportunity came up and we could bring him into the JRM family.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., co-owner of JR Motorsports

Childers worked with Justin Haley at Spire, but the relationship came to an end when both the driver and the crew chief agreed that it wasn’t working. During his time at Stewart-Haas Racing with Harvick, Childers achieved 40 victories and a Cup Series title. In 2024, after Harvick’s retirement, he worked with Josh Berry. That was the last year of Stewart-Haas Racing.

NASCAR and Jusan Hamilton Separation

In a recent announcement, NASCAR confirmed the separation 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 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 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.