NASCAR insider hints Rodney Childers won’t join Josh Berry at Wood Brothers Racing

Josh Berry’s future is becoming more clear by the hour, but the situation for his crew chief Rodney Childers isn’t exactly following the same path.

With the news of Stewart-Haas Racing’s closure at the end of the 2024 NASCAR campaign, Berry and Childers both are in the market for a new gig in 2025, and many have theorized they could be a package deal.

Finally, Berry’s status received some clarity, due to a report that he’s earmarked to join the Wood Brothers in the No. 21 Ford in 2025. However, Childers may not be coming along to the legendary organization.

Responding to a fan who posted on X that, “If Rodney doesn’t go with i’m gonna start throwing hands,” FOX’s Bob Pockrass wrote, “Might need ice for your hands.”

Reading the tea leaves, that means Childers likely will be elsewhere in 2025. Pockrass actually noted he’d be surprised if Childers remains at Haas with their single-car team, so it’s evident a new team is on the horizon.

“Would be mildly surprised if Childers remains at SHR (and I don’t believe he is going to the 21) … and I would be mildly surprised if Cole Custer is not the driver of the Cup car for Haas Factory team,” Pockrass posted on X.

As one of the best crew chiefs in all of NASCAR, he’ll obviously be a sought-after addition to any team, but there’s currently no indicator where he’ll end up. If not with Berry, it’s anyone’s guess.

More on Josh Berry, Wood Brothers Racing

Meanwhile, Berry and Wood Brothers have been in negotiations for weeks and are working towards finalizing an agreement. Berry, 33, replaced Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 Ford at Stewart-Haas Racing this season, but with SHR closing its doors, Berry will now make the jump to Wood Brothers to pilot the iconic No. 21 Ford.

If the deal becomes finalized, Berry will replace Harrison Burton, who has posted underwhelming results in three seasons. 

Wood Brothers currently operates as a one-car team and shares a technical alliance with Team Penske. David Pearson brought success to the team in the 1970s, winning 43 races during his tenure in the No. 21 car. It’s been far from smooth sailing since.

A host of drivers have come through since, but the team has fallen on hard times since the turn of the century. Since Elliott Sadler’s win in 2001, Wood Brothers has compiled just two victories.

Alas, Wood Brothers is banking on Berry being the driver to stabilize the team and bring success back. Berry is 19 races through his first full-time season in the Cup Series. He’s tallied four top 10s and two top 5s, finishing a season-high P3 at Darlington and New Hampshire. All of his top-10 finishes have come in his last seven starts. 

Josh Berry has been open in stating he feels he’s done enough to warrant another Cup Series ride in 2025. We’ll see if he can get the job done.

On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this article.