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The Fall of Stewart-Haas Racing: Rodney Childers Opens Up About the Emotional Collapse of NASCAR’s Iconic Team – “Lot of Tears”

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
January 28, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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The Fall of Stewart-Haas Racing: Rodney Childers Opens Up About the Emotional Collapse of NASCAR’s Iconic Team – “Lot of Tears”

Feb 9, 2019; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Rodney Childers during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The unexpected closure of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) in 2024 sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community, leaving hundreds of employees, fans, and racing professionals reeling. For Rodney Childers, the longtime crew chief who helped SHR achieve its greatest triumphs, the shutdown marked the end of an era and the start of an uncertain future.

Now with Spire Motorsports, Childers has begun rebuilding, but the pain of SHR’s demise still lingers. Reflecting on the team’s closure during an appearance on The Racing Writer’s Podcast, Childers offered a candid glimpse into the heartbreak and chaos behind the scenes.

A family shattered: Inside SHR’s final days

Stewart-Haas Racing, once a powerhouse in NASCAR, shut its doors after failing to secure the sponsorships necessary to stay afloat. For Childers, who spent 11 years at SHR and celebrated a Cup Series championship with Kevin Harvick in 2014, the announcement was devastating.

“The SHR part of it was hard on everybody, really,” Childers said. “Being in there 11 years, and winning so many races with Kevin, just to be able to accept that the place was shutting down was extremely tough. Over the years, you get to know 300-plus people—they become family, they become friends. There were a lot of tears in the second half of the year.”

The closure came as a surprise to many, including Childers, who admitted he anticipated a smaller downsizing but never a complete shutdown. “I kind of expected to maybe lose one team at SHR. I never expected to lose them all,” he shared in a tweet last July.

Kevin Harvick’s farewell season and SHR’s unraveling

The closure coincided with Kevin Harvick’s final season in 2023, adding another emotional layer to an already difficult time. Harvick, a racing legend and SHR’s anchor driver, ended his career with six top-five finishes and 14 top-10s, ranking 13th in his final season. His retirement left a leadership void that only compounded SHR’s challenges.

“Kevin and I had so many incredible moments together, including that 2014 championship,” Childers said. “To see the team dissolve just after his departure—it was like everything we built over a decade was disappearing overnight.”

The fallout and transition to Spire Motorsports

When SHR put its four charters up for sale, the organization’s assets were scattered across the NASCAR landscape. Gene Haas retained one charter for his Haas Factory team, while the rest went to 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and Trackhouse Racing. For the 300 employees left behind, the shutdown sparked anger, grief, and uncertainty.

“There were 300 people that were really mad,” Childers revealed. “It took a week to get over that and refocus. I expected to still have a home and to be able to race and do the things we’ve done the last 10-and-a-half years. I never expected to lose them all.”

Despite the shock, Childers found a new beginning at Spire Motorsports, where he signed a multi-year deal as crew chief for Justin Haley and the No. 7 team. Though the transition has been challenging, Childers is optimistic about the opportunity.

“It’s definitely different,” he admitted. “But I’m starting to see the potential here. The new team, the new environment—it’s a fresh start, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.”

The legacy of Stewart-Haas Racing

The closure of SHR marks the end of one of NASCAR’s most iconic teams, but its legacy lives on. From championship victories to unforgettable moments on the track, SHR’s impact on the sport is undeniable. For Childers and the rest of the SHR family, the challenge now is to carry those lessons and memories into their next chapters.

As Childers settles into his role at Spire Motorsports, he remains hopeful about the future while cherishing the past. “It’s tough to move on, but I’m grateful for the time I had at SHR. Now, it’s about building something new and making the most of what’s ahead.”

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