Rodney Childers, the once-dominant NASCAR crew chief, is back in the spotlight—and he’s not holding back! In a recent explosive appearance on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Childers revealed his intense hunger to return to the racetrack, and his ambition is crystal clear: “I just want to smash them, I really do.”
After a tumultuous hiatus from the sport, Childers is ready to unleash his competitive spirit. With a storied history as Harvick’s crew chief at Stewart-Haas Racing, where they clinched the coveted Cup Series championship in 2014, his absence has been felt. Following the closure of SHR last year, he briefly joined Spire Motorsports to lead Justin Haley into the 2025 season. However, that partnership was short-lived, ending after just nine races due to a challenging team dynamic that saw Haley only securing one top-10 finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
In his candid discussion, Childers expressed a newfound clarity and determination. “It’s put me in a situation where I just want to prove a point,” he stated, reflecting on the distractions that had previously clouded his focus. Now, with family obligations being his only remaining concern, he has eliminated all other diversions. “Whenever this next opportunity comes about, it’s going to be 24/7,” he declared, promising to be the first to arrive and the last to leave. This commitment to excellence could be the key to his comeback.
Despite his recent struggles, Childers is not backing down. Following his release from Spire, the team has struggled under new leadership, with only one top-5 and two top-10 finishes in 28 races. This has only fueled Childers’ desire to reclaim his place in the NASCAR hierarchy.
In a heartfelt moment during the podcast, the 49-year-old veteran reflected on his time in the sport, stating, “I miss competing, yes, every single day. I miss being a leader like I was good at. I know I can still do it better than most, and I’m more determined now than ever.” His confidence echoes his successful tenure with Harvick, where the duo racked up a staggering 36 wins together.
As Childers gears up for what he hopes will be a triumphant return to NASCAR, one thing is for sure: he’s ready to take on the world of racing once again. With his eyes set firmly on the prize, fans and competitors alike should brace themselves for what promises to be a thrilling comeback. Will Rodney Childers rise to the occasion and prove he’s still a force to be reckoned with in the NASCAR arena? Only time will tell, but he’s certainly not going down without a fight!
