This year has been a whirlwind for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), marked by unexpected and significant changes. The most surprising among these was the announcement that Tony Stewart would step down at the end of the 2024 season, signaling the end of the 69-time Cup-winning team’s journey. The closure of SHR, which has left a lasting legacy with two championships, shocked the racing world. However, Tony Stewart’s departure wasn’t the only significant change; SHR also bid farewell to Kevin Harvick, one of the team’s star drivers.
Kevin Harvick, who spent a decade at SHR, brought a remarkable level of success to the team. His performance was consistently strong, and during his tenure, Harvick never missed the playoffs, thanks to his top-tier finishes. His retirement in 2023 marked the end of an era for SHR, leaving a void that the team has struggled to fill. Harvick’s exit also saw the No. 4 Ford team lose much of its competitive edge, and his long-time crew chief, Rodney Childers, feels the impact of his absence deeply.
The Harvick-Childers Partnership: A Formula for Success
After 13 seasons with Richard Childress Racing, Harvick sought a fresh start in 2014 and found it by joining Stewart-Haas Racing. Rodney Childers also came aboard as the crew chief for the No. 4 Ford team, and their partnership proved to be golden. Childers, who had worked with MB2 Motorsports, Evernham Racing, and Michael Waltrip Racing before SHR, developed an exceptional bond with Harvick. Together, they delivered an outstanding performance in their first season, securing five race victories, 14 top-five finishes, and 20 top-10 finishes. Their crowning achievement came when they clinched the Cup Series Championship by winning the season finale at Homestead.
Harvick and Childers continued to make the playoffs every year until Harvick’s retirement. Their success was underpinned by their relentless drive to win, with Childers helping guide Harvick to eight consecutive postseason appearances and five Championship 4 finishes between 2014 and 2019. This consistent excellence set a high bar for the No. 4 team, which saw its fortunes take a sharp turn after Harvick stepped away from the sport.
Adjusting to Life After Harvick
When Josh Berry took over the No. 4 car following Harvick’s departure, the team faced a difficult adjustment. For the first time in a decade, the team failed to make the playoffs, a reality that Rodney Childers admits has been hard to accept. Reflecting on the team’s playoff streak, Childers told Racer, “It really is weird. It seems like it’s been forever since we weren’t in the playoffs. But maybe we took that for granted.”
Berry’s rookie season with SHR was filled with struggles. He only managed four top-ten finishes and two top-five finishes throughout the season, enduring numerous poor finishes and even being blamed by Denny Hamlin for a wreck at Darlington. This stark contrast to Harvick’s era highlighted how much the No. 4 team had depended on Harvick’s exceptional driving ability.
Despite the setbacks, Childers remains focused on one thing: winning. He noted that with Harvick, their strategy was always to focus on winning races, which naturally propelled them through the playoffs. As he explained, “With Kevin, that’s how we always got through the playoffs… I just want to go race and win races.” Although this season has lacked the drama of previous years, Childers still has the same hunger to compete and succeed.
Chase Briscoe and SHR’s Remaining Hope
Although the team has faced immense challenges this season, SHR is not without hope. Chase Briscoe, who drives the No. 14 Ford, has emerged as the team’s new frontrunner. In a season that could have been defined by uncertainty and disappointment, Briscoe provided a much-needed spark when he claimed victory at Darlington, earning SHR a crucial win and reigniting the team’s playoff hopes.
Briscoe’s determination has been a source of inspiration for the entire SHR organization. Despite not knowing what the future holds for many of the team’s employees after SHR shutters in 2024, the immediate goal is clear: help Briscoe win a championship. Rodney Childers, even though he is no longer Harvick’s crew chief, remains part of this mission. He told Racer that Briscoe’s success has brought renewed energy to the team, saying, “To have Chase Briscoe in it, you kind of get that same sense around the shop. At least you still have those same conversations.”
The Road Ahead for Stewart-Haas Racing
As SHR races toward its final season, the team’s legacy is firmly in place, but the future is uncertain. Tony Stewart’s departure marks the end of an era, and many employees face an unclear future. Yet, the team remains focused on winning, with Briscoe serving as a symbol of hope for SHR’s final chapter.
Rodney Childers, while nostalgic for his winning days with Harvick, is still motivated by the same competitive fire that drove him through a decade of success. He continues to work towards a breakthrough win with Josh Berry and hopes to close out SHR’s story on a high note. As he put it, “We want to win a race so bad with Josh, and we’ve had really good cars lately.”
Though Stewart-Haas Racing may be nearing its end, the team is determined to make the most of its remaining time. With Briscoe leading the charge and Childers still committed to winning, SHR’s story is far from over.
