JR Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series organization lured former Cup Series championship crew chief Rodney Childers to oversee the development of two top prospects, Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil.
The two pilots are scheduled to share duties driving the No. 1 Chevrolet in 2026 under the direction of Kevin Harvick’s former chief.
“Rodney’s resume and career speak for itself,” team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via team statement. “Rodney and I grew up together and have known each other since we were kids. That’s a relationship that has always been close and has remained close to this day.
“We’ve always had interest in working together in motorsports and I’m thankful that this opportunity came about and we could bring him into the JRM family.”
Kvapil, who ranks No. 4 in the playoff standings as the full-time pilot of the No. 1 team, will return as a part-timer next season. Zilisch, who drove the No. 88 Chevrolet to a regular-season championship, will run an undetermined number of races next season.
Zilisch (+200) was tabbed as the sports-betting favorite to win Saturday’s Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway, according to BetOnline Sportsbook.
Childers posted 40 career Cup wins as a chief and guided Harvick to the 2014 circuit championship.
“I’m so excited to be joining the JRM family,” said Childers in a statement. “I can’t wait to be part of this group. Plus, I get to be the lucky guy to lead two amazing young men that have a huge amount of talent and a big future in our sport.”
JR Motorsports has announced that Rodney Childers will join the team next season as crew chief for the No. 1 Chevrolet in the O'Reilly Series.
Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch will be the drivers "in a dual role" pic.twitter.com/T8kt2q9ZAu
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) September 24, 2025
NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Kansas Lottery 300 Odds
Here is a look at the drivers’ odds for Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Kansas Lottery, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:
| Driver | NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Kansas Lottery 300 Odds |
|---|---|
| Connor Zilisch | +200 |
| Justin Allgaier | +285 |
| Sam Mayer | +900 |
| Austin Hill | +1000 |
| Jesse Love | +1100 |
| Brandon Jones | +1200 |
| Sheldon Creed | +1400 |
| Taylor Gray | +1400 |
| Sammy Smith | +1400 |
| Carson Kvapil | +2000 |
| Nicholas Sanchez | +2200 |
| Ryan Sieg | +2200 |
| Rajah Caruth | +2200 |
| William Sawalich | +3300 |
| Christian Eckes | +5000 |
| Harrison Burton | +6600 |
| Daniel Dye | +6600 |
| Justin Bonsignore | +6600 |
| Brenden Queen | +12500 |
| Jeb Burton | +20000 |
| Parker Retzlaff | +25000 |
| Dean Thompson | +50000 |
| Matt DiBenedetto | +50000 |
| Jeremy Clements | +50000 |
| Brennan Poole | +50000 |
| Anthony Alfredo | +50000 |
| Kyle Sieg | +50000 |
| Austin Green | +50000 |
| Ryan Ellis | +100000 |
| Garrett Smithley | +100000 |
| Blaine Perkins | +100000 |
| Joey Gase | +100000 |
| Glen Reen | +100000 |
| Leland Honeyman Jr. | +100000 |
| Josh Williams | +100000 |
| Patrick Starapoli | +100000 |
| Nick Leitz | +100000 |
| Mason Massey | +100000 |
| Kole Raz | +100000 |
*-Odds current at time of publication
