By David Morgan, Associate Editor
Just nine races into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, Spire Motorsports and crew chief Rodney Childers have agreed to part ways with each other.
The team made the announcement on Wednesday as the Cup Series is set to get back in action this weekend at Talladega following the lone off weekend of the grinding schedule.
“NASCAR is an ever-evolving sport and the path to improvement isn’t always comfortable,” Spire Motorsports co-owner, Jeff Dickerson said in a statement posted to the team’s X account.
“The break in the Cup Series schedule gave us a chance to evaluate where we are as a program. We took the opportunity to discuss the best paths forward for everyone involved and the team and Rodney agreed that it would be best for us to part ways. Rodney has worked at the highest level of our sport for 20 years, and he knows what it takes to win championships.
“With that in mind, we collectively acknowledged challenges with the team dynamic. Having the right combination of talent is just as important as the results on track. As we move in a new direction it is not lost on us that Rodney has been an invaluable asset to our organization, as he will continue to be for others in this sport.”
Prior to joining Spire for the 2025 campaign, in what was supposed to be a multi-year deal, Childers sat atop the pit box for Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing, winning 37 of his 40 career Cup races with the No. 4 team in the 11 years they were paired together.
The duo also scored the 2014 Cup Series championship, the first and only for both driver and crew chief.
Childers other three Cup wins came during his tenure with Michael Waltrip Racing, banking a pair of wins with David Reutimann in 2009 and 2010 and a win with Brian Vickers in 2013.
After Stewart-Haas Racing closed its doors at the end of the 2024 season, Childers moved over to Spire to team up with Haley, but the road to start the season has been anything but kind, as the No. 7 team only scored one top-10 finish with a 10th place result at Homestead-Miami Speedway in March. Haley currently sits 23rd in points.
As such, Childers and Spire agreed to mutually part ways to allow both parties to a chance to salvage the remainder of the year. It is unknown who will take over for Childers at Talladega this weekend or where he will land in the future, given the vast knowledge he has gained on the pit box over the years.
Childers posted his own statement to his X account, acknowledging the sudden timing of his departure from the team.
“I know this is a shock. But also know that not everything works out perfect all the time,” he said. “That’s how life works. This was just one of those things that just wasn’t working for either of us.
“I appreciate my time at Spire, working with JH and the entire 7 team. We did a lot of good that is yet to be seen, and I wish them the best in the future. Also want to say thank you to everyone at Chevrolet, Mr H and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports for my time working with them again. It was a pleasure. Thank you to NASCAR, the officials, and most importantly the fans for your support.
“For me, I’m going to take a little time. Focus on the important things like my family and friends. And honestly just see what the racing world holds for me next. I know the man above will lead me in a direction that is best for me.”
