Transitioning to a new team in NASCAR is hard, especially in the Cup Series. Josh Berry has had to face struggles recently after his move to Stewart-Haas Racing. Having inherited the iconic #4 crew of Kevin Harvick, many eyes were fixated on Berry’s performances. One of the many reasons for Harvick’s success in the #4 team was his chemistry with his crew chief, Rodney Childers.

Perhaps to rekindle the same intensity and cooperation between the driver and the crew chief, Josh Berry enrolled in the Late Model Program with Kevin Harvick Inc. and his new teammate Ryan Preece, a popular figure in the circuit. However, building chemistry takes time, just like many other good things. Crew chief Rodney Childers has revealed the decreasing communication gap with his driver and how their stay in the Late Models could shape up.

Rodney Childers highlights the aspects he needs to work on with his new protégé Josh Berry

Kevin Harvick‘s boots are huge to fill. With succession, there is a presence of expectations as well. The same expectations have forced Berry and Rodney to begin the work early. Following the conclusion of the 2023 postseason, the pair immediately signed up for the late Model Program and started the preparations right away. 2024 could be another rough season for Tony Stewart and SHR, considering they’ll have two new faces in the camp.

As for Berry, he has had a memorable Cup Series experience in 2023. Filling in as a substitute driver for the No.9 car of Chase Elliott, the Xfinity Series veteran measured the deep waters in the initial parts of the season. With that experience as a driving factor, Childers has looked forward to capitalizing on it in the upcoming season. Revealing the build-up so far, the 47-year-old crew chief said,

“Everything’s really went well so far. We had a lot of fun last week; it felt like we had a good car most of the weekend. Just didn’t quite close it up there in the second half of the race, but the last couple of days, they’ve been really good; the car has been driving good, and little different rules down here. Overall, the car’s got good speed, driving good, and just getting to know each other, learn each other, and any amount of conversation is good conversation at this point.”

Talking about this being his first time working with Josh Berry and having the introductory jitters hindered their progress, Rodney said having a long acquaintance has helped their cause. The synergy and synchronisation will be the pair’s target, and emphasizing it, the former #4 crew chief said, “I mean, that part has been pretty easy so far.”

“We’ve known each other for a long time and have talked to each other over the years. So that part is easy but, you know, figuring out how to talk to each other and the things to say and where it’s tight, where it’s loose, kind of pinpointing those things that’d be key in the future and just talking about that stuff.”

Crew chiefs have turned the game around for their drivers often. Kyle Larson laid the finishing touch with a championship win to one of the most successful individual seasons in NASCAR in 2021 due to his crew chief’s well-executed gamble. Hence, Childers has been right to focus on chemistry with an exciting prospect.

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Childers is doubtful about an elongated partnership with KHI

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Berry and Childers began their Late Model ventures at the Hickory Motor Speedway. Berry started in the No.62 Mustang on November 11 at Hickory and had further races at Florence and Southern National Motorsports Park. However, they have agreed to it specifically to ease the transition and increase their chemistry. Berry has considerable differences in racing style from Kevin Harvick. Needless to say, adjusting to a new team will take some time. Responding to a question on whether the new team’s Late Model run is a one time venture, the crew chief said:

“We have to see how it goes,” stated Rodney Childers. “It’s tough on families to go race these things after you race 38 races a year and have been out of town. We are fortunate to have good families that are willing to let us go do this and have fun. Hopefully, we can do it a little bit more next year.”

Another departure in the SHR team has been Aric Almirola. After two years of speculation, the 39-year-old No.10 driver has bent towards leaving the team. That has opened up another spot in the team which is up for grabs. The team has had to handle a rocky boat in the past few seasons and the departures have only made it worse.

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However, Childers has an experienced rookie on his hands. Could he work out his magic just like he did with Harvick? Let us know what you think about this new team’s prospects!