The spotlight often shines brightest on the victor, the one holding the champagne on Victory Lane, grinning ear to ear as cameras flash and fans chant their name. Yet, behind every triumphant racer is an unsung hero, a figure who works tirelessly in the shadows, orchestrating every detail from tire pressure adjustments to pit strategies. Rodney Childers is one such figure, a man who’s been masterfully maneuvering stock cars like a 4D chess player, yet often goes unnoticed.
Childers is no stranger to the thrilling world of NASCAR racing, having had his fair share of glory days with Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart. He now finds himself at the helm of Spire Motorsports, continuing to fulfill his role and responsibilities with unwavering dedication, even as the applause and recognition seem to have waned.
Since the onset of the 2025 campaign, Childers and his driver, Justin Haley, have had a rough ride. Their results – P19, P24, and P16 – have been far from impressive, a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of Spire Motorsports’ flagship program. Even Childers voiced his dissatisfaction with the team’s best result so far, a 16th place finish at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). “Not indicative of the car we had and the effort put in by Justin Haley and all of the guys in the 7 team,” Childers lamented.
The unforgiving nature of NASCAR racing often leaves crew chiefs like Childers bearing the brunt of a team’s lackluster performance. The aftermath of the 2024 Cup Series season, which saw the downfall of Bootie Barker and Chris Gabehart, stands as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved. Amid such pressure, how does a championship-winning crew chief like Childers steer his team toward success? According to him, the secret lies in staying on top of his game.
“Everything. Travel to the cars, managing people, hiring people. Honestly, just trying to be there for all the employees and help make their jobs better,” Childers defined his role. Being a crew chief is more than just about turning wrenches. It’s about making countless micro-decisions that culminate in either victory or disappointment. “Really, just supporting everybody. Being the best manager I can be and giving them the tools and the information that they need to do their jobs the best that they can do,” he elaborated.
Despite the team’s underwhelming performance on the racetrack, Childers sees his stint at Spire Motorsports as a significant shift. A stark contrast to his time at Stewart Haas Racing (SHR), Childers feels valued and loved at Spire. Moreover, he sees it as a place that holds promise for his family’s future. Equipped with experience and expertise honed at SHR, Childers is determined to turn things around at Spire Motorsports.
However, leaving SHR and moving to Spire didn’t erase the memories of the life-altering experiences he had with Kevin Harvick. Childers’ journey from an aspiring driver to a top-tier crew chief was far from smooth. NASCAR’s dark days in the early 2000s, marked by the tragic deaths of Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin Jr., and Dale Earnhardt Sr., had shaken him to the core, forcing him to give up on his driving dreams. But his love for the sport remained unwavering.
Childers then found a new path, taking on a role that would etch his name in NASCAR history. He played a crucial role in Kevin Harvick’s 2014 Cup Series championship. The duo hit the ground running, winning the Profit on CNBC 500 race at Phoenix Raceway, only the second race on the NASCAR schedule. This victory set the stage for their championship win later that season.
Reminiscing about the unforgettable 2014 campaign, Childers wrote, “This was the day that started it all.. And a day I will never forget.. @KevinHarvick.” The victory at Phoenix was followed by wins at Darlington, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Martinsville Speedway, culminating in back-to-back victories at Phoenix and Homestead Miami Speedway, cementing their place in NASCAR history.
Now, as Childers helms an ambitious race team with a talented driver, comparisons with the 2014 campaign are inevitable. Yet, unlike SHR, Spire Motorsports is still in its development phase, and expectations need to be tempered. A potential playoff spot for Justin Haley and the No. 7 team would be a significant milestone for them. As Childers continues to work in the shadows, his unwavering dedication to the sport and his team shines through, proving that the most thankless job is often the most impactful.
