Kevin Harvick breaks silence on Spire Motorsports firing Rodney Childers
Kevin Harvick opened up on the exit of his former crew chief Rodney Childers from Spire Motorsports.
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Rodney Childers and Kevin Harvick (image via IMAGO)
Kevin Harvick had a long and successful partnership with Rodney Childers, with their most successful years coming with Stewart-Haas Racing between 2014 and 2023. In 2025, the 48-year-old crew chief joined Spire Motorsports, becoming the crew chief for Justin Haley in the No. 7 car. However, the NASCAR veteran has now parted ways with Spire, to the shock of many, including Harvick.
Spire Motorsports announced Rodney Childers‘ exit after just nine races into the current season. The championship-winning crew chief decided to exit Spire in a mutual agreement. Kevin Harvick, was taken aback by this news as he didn’t expect Childers to leave Spire so soon.
That one kind of caught me off guard. I think, as you look at the statements and things that everybody shared throughout the process, it seemed like it was a mutual agreement that it wasn’t working. So, it’ll be interesting to see how everybody moves on.
Kevin Harvick said on Happy Hour podcast.
Moreover, Kevin Harvick hinted that perhaps Rodney Childers was unable to make a meaningful difference at Spire, as Haley did not have the best of weekends coming to the Easter break. Harvick’s comments hint that perhaps Childers was not entirely in control as a crew chief of the No. 7 car and is hopeful that his friend can get a better environment to work at in the near future.
I think that, you know, the No. 7 ran — didn’t run great again this weekend. I think, as you look at Rodney and his credentials, hopefully he winds up somewhere where he’ll make a difference, because I think he can. He’s got the credibility, and the history of results that go with it.
Kevin Harvick added.
Rodney Childers eyes NASCAR Hall of Fame
Following his departure from Spire, Rodney Childers revealed his target for the rest of his career. The 48-year-old has a stellar record in the championship, courtesy of his past stints. However, the legendary race engineer remains hungry for more.
The championship-winning crew chief admitted that he needs to have more wins under his belt to fulfill his dream of being in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Rodney Childers made it clear that he was going to aim for further success in the sport in the coming years. Though, he did not reveal his future plans or which team he was headed in the coming weeks.
I had a couple [of] opportunities last year to go after the competition director thing, and I was kind of just really stuck on — I feel like, to one day be in the Hall of Fame, I need more wins than 40. And, you know, all that kind of stuff means a lot to me. And I want to keep chasing those numbers, and I want to have more poles, and I wanna have more wins and all that.
Rodney Childers said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Additionally, Childers confessed that he no longer felt happy at Spire Motorsports. He recalled that he was finding it more difficult to get joy out of his job. So much so, that an exit from the team almost became inevitable for the veteran crew chief.
And I could sense it a little bit. Maybe a couple of weeks before [parting ways], it had kind of [gotten] quiet around. And anytime it gets quiet, you kind of start wondering.
Rodney Childers noted.
Rodney Childers will be looking for greener pastures in the coming weeks. Any NASCAR team would be ready to sign the 48-year-old courtesy of his successful record in the sport. Though, questions will be raised over his failed stint at Spire. As such, it remains to be seen what the next chapter in Childers’ career holds.
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