JRM ace Rodney Childers reacts to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Co.’s major partnership announcement

JR Motorsports' new crew chief, Rodney Childers, welcomed the American fast-food chain Arby's to the team on social media after the Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned team announced its partnership with the brand.

The American sandwich chain will sponsor JRM for multiple races in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season. The team posted a short video on Instagram to introduce their collaboration and outline the schedule.

Childers, who will serve as crew chief of the No. 1 Chevrolet next season, welcomed the Georgia-based brand to the team on Instagram.

"Awesome to have Arbys join us all [at JR Motorsports]"

Rodney Childers' story on December 16. Image: Screenshot via Instagram/@rchilders4

Arby's paint scheme will debut at the Atlanta Motor Speedway race with Carson Kvapil's No. 1 team, led by Childers, on February 21, 2026.

Childers also reacted to the announcement on X.

The partnership includes three other O'Reilly races at Rockingham Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, and Chicagoland Speedway with Kvapil. Arby's will also appear on Sammy Smith's No. 8 car for three races and on Justin Allgaier's No. 7 Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway.

Rodney Childers features in No. 1 team sponsor 'WILDE' announcement video

Last week, JR Motorsports also shared the No. 1 team's new sponsorship deal with WILDE Protein Snacks in a short announcement video. WILDE will be the primary sponsor for the Rodney Childers-led NASCAR O'Reilly team for three races in 2026: Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 14, Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25, and World Wide Technology Raceway on September 12.

Connor Zilisch, who will drive full-time in the Cup Series next season for Trackhouse Racing, will also share the No. 1 car with Kvapil for select races.

"My acting skills are on point!! 😬😬 Welcome to the 1 team Wilde! 👊🏼," Rodney Childers replied to the announcement video on X.

Before his move to JR Motorsports, Childers had a long career as a Cup Series crew chief, as he guided Kevin Harvick to the 2014 Cup Series championship. Childers began the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season as the crew chief of Spire Motorsports' No. 7 Chevrolet with driver Justin Haley. However, they ended their partnership just nine races into the season in April.

Dale Jr. and Childers, who were classmates in high school and longtime friends, will work together professionally for the first time next year. The 2026 season, which starts on February 14, will also be Childers' first full season as a crew chief in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

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Edited by Hitesh Nigam