Childers, Ex-NASCAR Champion, New Xfinity Team Boss

Rodney Childers Finds New Direction at JR Motorsports

After his departure from Spire Motorsports in April, Rodney Childers, known for leading Kevin Harvick to the Cup Series championship in 2014, has found a new position in the world of motorsports. Childers will assume the crew chief role at JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, leading the number 1 Chevrolet, which will be shared by Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch. This will be the first time Childers serves as a crew chief in the Xfinity Series.

Rodney’s resume and career 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’ve always had an interest in working together in motorsports, and I’m grateful that this opportunity has come about and we’ve been able to 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 when both the driver and the crew chief felt it wasn’t working. During his time at Stewart-Haas Racing, Childers achieved 40 victories and a Cup title with Harvick. Then, in 2024, he worked with Josh Berry, marking the last year of Stewart-Haas Racing’s existence.

NASCAR Parts Ways with Race Director Jusan Hamilton

NASCAR confirmed its separation from race director Jusan Hamilton, with six races remaining to finish the season. Hamilton, whose official title was general manager of competition operations, is no longer listed as a NASCAR employee. Hamilton began his NASCAR career as an intern in 2012 and returned in 2016, performing various functions. He oversaw NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, the development of pit crews, and NASCAR’s iRacing professional divisions, in addition to being a race director. Hamilton played a fundamental role in setting the annual calendar and the program 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.