Stewart-Haas Racing’s #4 driver Kevin Harvick and his crew chief Rodney Childers have spent a momentous decade together. The successful pairing produced 37 wins, 25 pole positions, and a Cup Series championship through their combined efforts. Despite all the laurels, Harvick’s final return to his championship-winning ground filled Childers with remorse.

In the pre-race interview at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, the veteran crew chief confessed the cause of his bitter-sweet lament. 

Kevin Harvick’s No. 4 crew chief revealed their failed goal at the Homestead-Miami Speedway

The second playoff race in the Round of 8 will prove to be crucial in demarcating the remaining three championship contenders of the season. But the realization of Kevin Harvick’s impending retirement overshadowed the usual playoff predictions. After all, the #4 driver has a nostalgic connection with this mile-and-a-half racetrack. So much so that the race itself would serve as a farewell tribute to the phenomenal racer. 

And yet, when Harvick’s crew chief arrived at the place of their incredible victory, he deeply regretted the team’s inability to recreate that moment. Kevin Harvick won several times on numerous racetracks during his inspirational racing career. But somehow his 2014 championship finale became his lone triumph in Homestead. Expressing his anguish prior to the race, Childers said,

“Honestly, what it meant that night in 2014 to finish that race off strong and to win the championship together in our first year, I was kind of disappointed walking up the stairs just now because the last time I walked up those stairs was in 2014 so that’s disappointing. We should have won more races here, but it definitely means a lot to me and my family and the sacrifices that we’ve put through and the hours that we put through over 10 years to make it all happen.” 

Watch this story: How SHR’s Tribute to Kevin Harvick Backfired

To honor the support and sacrifice of Rodney Childers, he was assigned to play a pivotal part in the 4EVER 400 race, named after the #4 driver.

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Along with the name of the race, certain other significant pre-race ceremonies were announced to commemorate Kevin Harvick’s final Homestead voyage. NASCAR Senior Advisor Mike Helton would be the honorary starter to wave the green flag for the veteran racer. Pitbull would ride the pace car ahead of the drivers and Rodney Childers and his family would serve as the Grand Marshals. 

The inaugurating race of the season, the prestigious Daytona 500, had nine luminaries serving as Grand Marshals. Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Jeff Gordon, and even Kevin Harvick himself were included in this legendary panel, which was tasked with the privilege of Grand Marshal duties. The esteemed dignitaries indicate the prestige associated with the ceremony, which would now be presided over by Kevin Harvick’s #4 crew chief.

Moved by the gesture, Childers acknowledged, “It’s really really cool. I never would have thought that would even come into play at any point in my career but for him to want me to do that and to want Mike to throw the flag and all that stuff, it just shows our relationship together and what we’ve done together and what it means.”

That unforgettable victory and their journey together meant just as much to the millions of fans who would now associate the Homestead-Miami Speedway with Kevin Harvick 4EVER.

Read More: Kevin Harvick’s Honours Beats Out Hendrick Motorsports Legend at Legendary Final Race at Homestead Miami