When the Stewart Haas Racing team announced in May 2024  that they would be closing all operations, the NASCAR world was met with an immediate shock. What added more to this shock was how would drivers and crew members find their way to a new and permanent home. Rodney Childers was one such member and despite his decade-long powerful run with Kevin Harvick and the No. 4 team, things came to a standstill.

However, given his caliber and experience, Childers was shortly welcomed by Spire Motorsports. While after its formation in 2018, the team might have been referred to as an underdog, with time it has come up to the brim. As Childers takes up this new duty, he cannot help but pass on a heart-touching message to his ex-team confidante. 

Rodney Childers finds a new purpose with Spire Motorsports 

Joining a new team and ensuring that one can add value and success to the team requires a lot of time and effort. However, it seems as though Rodney Childers is quite positive about the run and sees the golden lining after all. Kevin Harvick and Rodney Childers formed a powerful partnership in their first year together, back in 2014. This was also the time when the duo secured their Cup Series victory and the partnership went on to become iconic in its truest sense. That same year, Harvick also began his tenure with Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR). 

Their collaboration spanned nearly a decade, with Childers working alongside Harvick until his retirement following the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season. Following the closure, Childers signed a multi-year contract with Spire Motorsports and for the 2025 season, he will be the guiding light for the No. 7 team driver by Justin Haley. Speaking of the journey he has had so far, the crew chief stated, “Just about an hour ago we were talking how fortunate we have been and how far we have come along. It’s been pretty special, honestly to kind of go through what we went through. While I was trying to find a job, it was tough enough”. 

Rodney’s journey at SHR had been marked by significant relationships with Kevin Harvick as well as Robert Smith, lovingly called Cheddar. Reflecting on the relationship they have shared so far, Childers said, “I mean we are talking about Cheddar. Cheddar and I have won 37 Cup races together. So there’s not too many times that you can come across people like that to have your back through the thick and thin. It’s been a lot of what has helped ever since I got in here…it felt like we are headed towards the right direction and put together some nice car and some nice equipment. Hopefully we will be more comfortable and have some fun”. 

The Childers – Harvick – Smith trio has been iconic when it comes to the Stewart Haas Racing team. The trust and camaraderie Childers built with Cheddar over the years have given him a strong foundation as he transitions to Spire Motorsports. This bond has made it easier for him to integrate into his new team, fostering a sense of familiarity and confidence in his new role.

Childers thinks Spire Motorsports resonates the early days of the Stewart Haas Racing team 

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Rodney Childers has always been known to be a crew chief who can build a winning culture with ease. Spire Motorsports has started to evolve itself as a mid-tier contender over the years to join the elite group. Given that Childers has now seen both teams, he has reported that there is quite a bit of resemblance between his past and current team. 

He said, “Feels like SHR at the beginning, not the end, which is a good thing”. This comes as a great comment from someone who has helped SHR to transform into a championship-winning team. For the 2025 season, Spire Motorsports has made quite a few amends that could lead it up to a solid victory. Spire Motorsports overhauled its lineup by adding seasoned driver Michael McDowell to take the wheel of the No. 71 car. 

With a skilled driver behind the wheel and Childers’ strategic leadership, the team has the potential to make a strong push toward becoming a serious playoff contender. Unlike the final years of the Stewart Haas Racing team, Spire Motorsports does not lack long-term stability or even a clear direction. The zeal to stay afloat does make it to be a strong contender for 2025.