Spire Motorsports

Spire Motorsports

Owner(s)	Jeff Dickerson T. J. Puchyr
Principal(s)	Doug Duchardt (President)
Base	Mooresville, North Carolina
Series	NASCAR Cup Series NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Race drivers	Cup Series 7. Justin Haley 71. Michael McDowell 77. Carson Hocevar Truck Series 7. TBA 71. Rajah Caruth 77.TBA
Sponsors	Cup Series 7. Chili's, Celsius, USANA, Group1001 (Gainbridge, Clear Spring Health), Schlüter Systems, Razzle Dazzle Grapes, Iowa Hawkeyes, Garner Trucking, Parity in Paris, Mattress Warehouse 71. WeatherTech, City of Refuge, Focused Health, Ambetter Health, Wellcare, Jockey 77. Group1001 (Gainbridge, Delaware Life), Premier Security Solutions (NLEOMF), Zeigler Auto Group, Bon Secours, Mattress Warehouse Truck Series 7. Bluegreen Vacations, Group1001, Austin Hatcher Foundation, TMC Transportation, Realtree, Pinnacle Racing Group, BAMF Enterprises, Pilot Flying J, Herdez, Rush Truck Centers, Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, Golden Harvest, Silver Hare Racing, MKS Pipe & Valve 71. HendrickCars.com 77. TBA
Manufacturer	Chevrolet
Opened	2018
Career
Debut	Cup Series: 2019 Daytona 500 (Daytona) Xfinity Series: 2023 Shriners Children's 200 (Darlington) Truck Series: 2022 NextEra Energy 250 (Daytona)
Latest race	Cup Series: 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race (Phoenix) Xfinity Series: 2023 Cabo Wabo Tequila 250 (Michigan) Truck Series: 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race (Phoenix)
Races competed	262
Drivers' Championships	0
Race victories	6 (1 Cup, 5 Trucks)
Pole positions	5 (5 Truck)

Spire Motorsports is an American auto racing organization competing in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The team is a subsidiary of Spire Sports + Entertainment. In the Cup Series, the team currently fields three Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 teams: the No. 7 for Justin Haley, the No. 71 for Michael McDowell , and the No. 77 for Carson Hocevar. In the Truck Series, the team fields three Chevrolet Silverados: the No. 7 for multiple drivers, the No. 71 for Rajah Caruth, and the No. 77. They have also competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in the past.

History

On December 4, 2018, Spire Sports + Entertainment announced they purchased their charter from the now-defunct Furniture Row Racing. At the same time, the team announced they will use the No. 77 and field Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s. FRR President Joe Garone joined the team to serve the same position.

The team, in its first year of operation, operated in the same shop as Premium Motorsports as part of an alliance with Premium owner Jay Robinson. However, Premium was sold to Rick Ware Racing in 2020, and the team operated out of the RWR shop until season's end. On August 11, 2020, Spire Motorsports purchased the assets of Leavine Family Racing, allowing them to expand to a two-car operation in 2021. Following the acquisition, the team moved their headquarters from Mooresville to the former shop of AK Racing in Concord, North Carolina. On October 7, it was announced that Spire Motorsports had secured a third charter which would be leased to Trackhouse Racing for the 2021 season. On December 10, it was reported that NASCAR on NBC analyst and former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Steve Letarte will serve as a consultant for the team.

On June 18, 2021, it was announced that Spire had sold two charters (for the No. 77, and the one leased to Trackhouse Racing) to Kaulig Racing for the 2022 season. In the announcement, Spire's co-owners said, "We will continue to field the No. 7 with Corey LaJoie as a chartered entry in 2022. We remain committed to NASCAR and the Cup Series and we will continue to look for opportunities to grow and compete in the future." In 2022, Spire purchased Rick Ware Racing’s No. 53 charter for the No. 77.

On September 16, 2023, Spire purchased Live Fast Motorsports charter for US$40 million to field a third team in 2024. Less than two weeks later, on September 27, Spire agreed to purchase the assets of NASCAR Truck Series team Kyle Busch Motorsports. On December 4, former Chip Ganassi Racing COO Doug Duchardt was named President of Spire Motorsports.

NASCAR Cup Series

Car No. 7 history

Corey LaJoie (2021–2024)

Corey LaJoie in the No. 7 at Martinsville Speedway in 2022

On November 30, 2020, Spire Motorsports announced that Corey LaJoie signed a multi-year agreement with the team starting in 2021. In addition, the team selected the No. 7 with permission from Tommy Baldwin Racing to pay tribute to Alan Kulwicki and Geoff Bodine.

LaJoie drove the No. 7 to a ninth-place finish at the 2021 Daytona 500. Following the season opener, however, the team was unable to break into the top 20 until the race at COTA, where LaJoie finished 20th. Josh Berry drove the No. 7 at Michigan, as LaJoie was sidelined in accordance with team and COVID-19 protocols. LaJoie finished the season 29th in points.

On March 15, 2022, crew chief Ryan Sparks was suspended for four races due to a tire and wheel loss during the 2022 Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix. At Atlanta, LaJoie led a career-best 19 laps and was on his way to claiming his first career win with two laps to go when Chase Elliott overtook him and blocked him on the high side, causing him to brush the wall and spin before colliding with Kurt Busch and finishing the race in 21st place.

LaJoie started the 2023 season with a 16th place finish at the 2023 Daytona 500. He showed huge improvement over the past season with more consistent top-20 and top-30 finishes. On May 30, LaJoie was announced as the substitute driver of the Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 at Gateway after Chase Elliott was suspended for one race for intentionally wrecking Denny Hamlin at Charlotte. Carson Hocevar filled in for the No. 7, making his Cup Series debut.

LaJoie at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024.

LaJoie started the 2024 season with a 4th place finish at the 2024 Daytona 500.

On July 9, 2024, Spire Motorsports announced that Rodney Childers would replace Sparks as the No. 7's crew chief in 2025 while Sparks would be promoted to competition director. On July 25, LaJoie announced he was parting ways with Spire at the end of the 2024 season.

Justin Haley (2024–present)

On September 20, 2024, it was announced that LaJoie would move to the Rick Ware Racing No. 51, while Justin Haley would replace him in the No. 7 for the remainder of the 2024 season starting with Kansas, as well as full-time in 2025.

Car No. 7 results

Year	Driver	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	Owners	Pts
2021	Corey LaJoie	7	Chevy	DAY 9	DAY 31	HOM 36	LVS 37	PHO 27	ATL 29	BRI 38	MAR 37	RCH 21	TAL 22	KAN 27	DAR 22	DOV 26	COA 20	CLT 19	SON 18	NSH 15	POC 36	POC 23	ROA 21	ATL 22	NHA 23	GLN 24	IND 16		DAY 16	DAR 15	RCH 29	BRI 26	LVS 30	TAL 22	CLT 35	TEX 20	KAN 25	MAR 21	PHO 32	29th	459
	Josh Berry																											MCH 26
2022	Corey LaJoie			DAY 14	CAL 28	LVS 15	PHO 36	ATL 5	COA 36	RCH 31	MAR 32	BRI 19	TAL 14	DOV 18	DAR 35	KAN 19	CLT 35	GTW 36	SON 34	NSH 20	ROA 34	ATL 21	NHA 32	POC 19	IND 18	MCH 19	RCH 28	GLN 27	DAY 30	DAR 24	KAN 33	BRI 15	TEX 14	TAL 35	ROV 12	LVS 24	HOM 23	MAR 21	PHO 18	32nd	466
2023				DAY 16	CAL 14	LVS 20	PHO 26	ATL 4	COA 11	RCH 21	BRD 30	MAR 26	TAL 25	DOV 14	KAN 20	DAR 24	CLT 17		SON 20	NSH 20	CSC 14	ATL 31	NHA 33	POC 27	RCH 32	MCH 15	IRC 29	GLN 20	DAY 10	DAR 22	KAN 22	BRI 25	TEX 26	TAL 4	ROV 17	LVS 18	HOM 20	MAR 22	PHO 31	26th	588
	Carson Hocevar																	GTW 36
2024	Corey LaJoie			DAY 4	ATL 13	LVS 32	PHO 33	BRI 21	COA 24	RCH 36	MAR 32	TEX 22	TAL 18	DOV 21	KAN 26	DAR 16	CLT 35	GTW 32	SON 11	IOW 21	NHA 23	NSH 20	CSC 27	POC 19	IND 14	RCH 34	MCH 32	DAY 34	DAR 9	ATL 15	GLN 8	BRI 36								32nd	504
	Justin Haley																																KAN 33	TAL 7	ROV 26	LVS 17	HOM 34	MAR 29	PHO 28

Car No. 71 history

Zane Smith (2024)

Z. Smith at Las Vegas in 2024.

During the same announcement on September 16, 2023, when Spire purchased Live Fast Motorsports' charter, Zane Smith was announced as the driver of Spire's third team in 2024 as a partnership with Trackhouse Racing. Smith signed a multi-year deal with Trackhouse and was supposed to drive the Spire car until he moved to Trackhouse, in a third car, however, in 2024, Trackhouse terminated the agreement, leaving Smith without a ride for 2025.

Michael McDowell (2025)

On May 8, 2024, Michael McDowell signed a multi-year deal to drive the No. 71 starting in 2025.

Car No. 71 results

Year	Driver	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	Owners	Pts
2024	Zane Smith	71	Chevy	DAY 13	ATL 35	LVS 36	PHO 29	BRI 36	COA 19	RCH 35	MAR 31	TEX 26	TAL 29	DOV 24	KAN 29	DAR 35	CLT 33	GTW 19	SON 16	IOW 31	NHA 30	NSH 2	CSC 17	POC 29	IND 17	RCH 23	MCH 7	DAY 13	DAR 23	ATL 21	GLN 5	BRI 16	KAN 10	TAL 21	ROV 19	LVS 16	HOM 30	MAR 21	PHO 39	31st	505

Car No. 77 history

Multiple drivers (2019–2022)

Garrett Smithley driving the 77 at Texas Motor Speedway in 2019

In January 2019, Quin Houff signed with Spire for a part-time schedule in the No. 77 in 2019 starting at Phoenix Raceway. Spire Motorsports formed a partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing to field the No. 40 for Jamie McMurray at the 2019 Daytona 500 and Advance Auto Parts Clash, using the newly acquired No. 77 charter to effectively renumber it to the No. 40 for a one-off and guarantee it qualified for the race. Prior to Houff's debut, Garrett Smithley and Reed Sorenson drove the car at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, respectively. Prior to the Atlanta race, car chief Shane Callis was ejected from the track after the No. 77 failed pre-qualifying inspection multiple times. D. J. Kennington joined the team for the Martinsville Speedway race. In April, NASCAR Xfinity Series regular Justin Haley made his Cup debut with the team at Talladega Superspeedway.

On July 7, the team won their first Cup race in their 18th start at the rain-shortened 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, with Haley behind the wheel. Haley and the team were not eligible for the Cup Series Playoffs but did receive the Daytona winner's check.

On September 29, Blake Jones was announced to drive the No. 77 at the October Talladega race. Timmy Hill drove for the team at the Kansas and Martinsville playoff races.

On November 27, the team was docked 50 owner points and listed owner T. J. Puchyr fined $50,000 after being caught in a race manipulation scheme at the Homestead-Miami race: Sorenson was heard ignoring multiple calls to pit late in the race before finally obliging. The team then retired the car with an official reason stated being mechanical issues. Along with Rick Ware Racing also exiting the race, this enabled the No. 27 of Premium Motorsports to secure the highest Open (non-chartered) team in the final point standings.

Spire and Chip Ganassi Racing rekindled their partnership in 2020, fielding the No. 77 for Ross Chastain at the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600.

For the Michigan double-header the No. 77 team was renumbered to the No. 74 with sponsorship from "Fake Steak" as a tie-in promotion with the Netflix sitcom The Crew.

Jamie McMurray was hired to drive in the 2021 Daytona 500, his first NASCAR sanctioned start since the 2019 Daytona 500. He was caught up in a wreck on Lap 14 but managed to recover to finish in an incredible eighth place. Haley drove the car for the majority of the season, with his highest finishes being eighth at Indianapolis and sixth at the Daytona night race.

Josh Bilicki driving the 77 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2022

In 2022, Landon Cassill drove the No. 77 for the majority of the year, while Josh Bilicki drove in the races Cassill was not entered in. Justin Allgaier was announced as the entry for the Bristol dirt race.

Ty Dillon (2023)

Ty Dillon driving the 77 at Auto Club Speedway in 2023

On October 17, 2022, Spire Motorsports announced that Ty Dillon would drive the No. 77 full-time in 2023. On July 25, 2023, following a string of disappointing finishes, crew chief Kevin Bellicourt was replaced by Kevin Manion starting at the Richmond summer race.

Carson Hocevar (2024-)

Carson Hocevar driving the 77 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024.

On October 10, 2023, Carson Hocevar was announced as the driver of the No. 77 for the 2024 season, effectively replacing Dillon. Hocevar started the season with a 40th place DNF at the 2024 Daytona 500. He scored his first career top-10 finish at Texas. At Nashville, Hocevar spun out Harrison Burton during a caution lap; as a result, he was fined US$50,000 and docked 25 driver points. On August 31, Hocevar scored the team's best ever starting spot at Darlington, qualifying on the front row in second place. At the end of the season, he won the NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors.

Car No. 77 results

Year	Driver	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	Owners	Pts
2019	Garrett Smithley	77	Chevy	DAY	ATL 36			CAL 36		TEX 32																MCH 35														36th	132
	Reed Sorenson					LVS 36																			GLN 37		BRI 38	DAR 30	IND 23	LVS 37	RCH 37	CLT 39	DOV 37					PHO 37	HOM 37
	Quin Houff						PHO 30				BRI 32	RCH 34		DOV 36	KAN 34	CLT 28	POC 29	MCH 32		CHI 38		KEN 34	NHA 31	POC 31													TEX 33
	D. J. Kennington								MAR 32
	Justin Haley												TAL 32						SON 34		DAY 1
	Blake Jones																																	TAL 31
	Timmy Hill																																		KAN 39	MAR 34
2020	Ross Chastain			DAY 25						CLT 21									IND 17										DAY 16	DAR 29										34th	244
	Reed Sorenson				LVS 34	CAL 36	PHO 30	DAR 29																			DOV 39	DOV 33			RCH 36	BRI 36				KAN 36	TEX 32
		74																						MCH 30	MCH 31
	J. J. Yeley	77							DAR 28		CLT 34		ATL 36								TEX 24												LVS 33		CLT 35
	Garrett Smithley											BRI 26		MAR 36								KAN 26	NHA 31															MAR 39
	B. J. McLeod														HOM 35	TAL 31
	James Davison																POC 34	POC 30
	Josh Bilicki																			KEN 32																			PHO 35
	Stanton Barrett																									DAY 38
	Justin Haley																																	TAL 11
2021	Jamie McMurray			DAY 8																																				31st	338
	Justin Haley				DAY 24	HOM 26	LVS 29	PHO 24	ATL 30		MAR 35	RCH 38	TAL 30	KAN 30	DAR 28		COA 40	CLT 28		NSH 35	POC 27		ROA 25	ATL 29	NHA 28	GLN 29	IND 8	MCH 25	DAY 6	DAR 25	RCH 27	BRI 36	LVS 32		CLT 37	TEX 37	KAN 39	MAR 31	PHO 26
	Stewart Friesen									BRI 23
	Josh Berry															DOV 30
	Ben Rhodes																		SON 30
	Justin Allgaier																					POC 25												TAL 40
2022	Landon Cassill			DAY 15			PHO 30			RCH 32			TAL 19		DAR 22							ATL 24					RCH 30		DAY 4	DAR 25	KAN 24	BRI 22	TEX 22	TAL 11		LVS 32	HOM 29	MAR 32	PHO 36	33rd	371
	Josh Bilicki				CAL 30	LVS 29		ATL 16	COA 22		MAR 35			DOV 32		KAN 28	CLT 36	GTW 28	SON 29	NSH 33	ROA 36		NHA 34	POC 34	IND 22	MCH 21
	Justin Allgaier											BRI 36
	Mike Rockenfeller																											GLN 30							ROV 29
2023	Ty Dillon			DAY 40	CAL 31	LVS 34	PHO 30	ATL 23	COA 39	RCH 32	BRD 21	MAR 32	TAL 14	DOV 36	KAN 22	DAR 27	CLT 27	GTW 25	SON 23	NSH 32	CSC 35	ATL 19	NHA 26	POC 28	RCH 34	MCH 20	IRC 27	GLN 34	DAY 11	DAR 29	KAN 28	BRI 33	TEX 19	TAL 27	ROV 31	LVS 23	HOM 24	MAR 24	PHO 28	33rd	364
2024	Carson Hocevar			DAY 40	ATL 19	LVS 15	PHO 15	BRI 27	COA 22	RCH 27	MAR 17	TEX 10	TAL 17	DOV 22	KAN 24	DAR 26	CLT 21	GTW 8	SON 17	IOW 14	NHA 17	NSH 16	CSC 24	POC 17	IND 12	RCH 8	MCH 10	DAY 11	DAR 33	ATL 16	GLN 3	BRI 18	KAN 32	TAL 14	ROV 12	LVS 23	HOM 9	MAR 25	PHO 18	21st	711

Xfinity Series

Car No. 77 history

Hocevar's damaged car at Nashville in 2023.

On March 7, 2023, the team announced that they will expand their racing operations to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with Carson Hocevar running six races in their No. 77 car. However the team only ran in four races.

Car No. 77 results

Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	Owners	Pts	Ref
2023	Carson Hocevar	77	Chevy	DAY	CAL	LVS	PHO	ATL	COA	RCH	MAR	TAL	DOV Wth	DAR 6	CLT 8	PIR	SON	NSH 36	CSC	ATL	NHA	POC	ROA	MCH 32	IRC	GLN	DAY	DAR	KAN	BRI	TEX	ROV	LVS	HOM	MAR	PHO	42nd	74

Craftsman Truck Series

Truck No. 7 History

Multiple drivers (2022–present)

Alex Bowman in the No. 7 at Sonoma Raceway in 2022

On November 23, 2021, Spire announced that they would field a team in the Camping World Truck Series in 2022, with Kevin Manion as crew chief. On February 11, 2022, Spire announced Austin Hill would drive the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado at Daytona with Kevin Manion as crew chief and sponsorship from United Rentals. On April 7, William Byron gave Spire its first Truck Series win at Martinsville. Chase Elliott drove the No. 7 to a seventh-place finish at Bristol dirt race. On May 31, It was announced that Rajah Caruth would make his truck series debut at the World Wide Technology Raceway in the No. 7.

The No. 7 returned on a part-time basis in 2023, with Corey LaJoie finishing 23rd at Daytona. Professional dirt track racer Jonathan Davenport drove the truck to a 14th place finish at the Bristol dirt race. Kyle Larson drove the No. 7 to the team's second Truck Series win at North Wilkesboro.

Kyle Busch in the No. 7 at Las Vegas in 2024.

During the 2024 season, LaJoie drove the No. 7 to a 20th place finish at Daytona. A week later, Kyle Busch won at Atlanta in his first Truck race after selling his team to Spire. Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing development driver, made his debut race in the series with Spire Motorsports at COTA. On March 27, 2024, it was announced that Sammy Smith would drive the No. 7 Truck in a four-race deal. On April 12, Busch won at Texas. On April 23, it was announced that Connor Mosack would drive the No. 7 on a five race deal. On May 21, it was announced that Andrés Pérez de Lara would make his Truck Series debut at Gateway.

Truck No. 7 results

Year	Driver	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	Owners	Pts
2022	Austin Hill	7	Chevy	DAY 15	LVS	ATL													POC 6	IRP							31st	205
	Alex Bowman						COA 25								SON 29	KNX	NSH
	William Byron							MAR 1
	Chase Elliott								BRI 7	DAR	KAN	TEX	CLT
	Rajah Caruth													GTW 11							RCH 25	KAN	BRI 34	TAL	HOM	PHO 32
	Dylan Lupton																	MOH 32
2023	Corey LaJoie			DAY 23*	LVS	ATL						DAR 16															29th	263
	Alex Bowman						COA DNQ	TEX
	Jonathan Davenport								BRD 14	MAR	KAN
	Kyle Larson												NWS 1*	CLT	GTW	NSH
	Marco Andretti																MOH 19								HOM 18	PHO 35
	Austin Hill																	POC 33	RCH
	Layne Riggs																			IRP 3
	Derek Kraus																				MLW 8	KAN
	Carson Kvapil																						BRI 12	TAL
2024	Corey LaJoie			DAY 20																							8th	2192
	Kyle Busch				ATL 1	LVS 15	BRI 2			TEX 1*		DAR 32
	Connor Zilisch							COA 4											RCH 29		BRI 19		TAL 33		MAR 12
	Sammy Smith								MAR 8				NWS 5					IRP 6		MLW 17
	Connor Mosack										KAN 30			CLT 9			POC 15					KAN 10		HOM 3		PHO 8
	Andrés Pérez de Lara														GTW 9
	Clint Bowyer															NSH 17

Truck No. 71 History

Caruth at Las Vegas in 2024.

On February 7, 2024, It was announced that Rajah Caruth will be driving the No. 71 full-time in 2024. At Las Vegas, Caruth scored his first career win, becoming the second ever African-American driver to win a Truck Series race and only the third ever to win a NASCAR national series race.

Truck No. 71 results

Year	Driver	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	Owners	Pts
2024	Rajah Caruth	71	Chevy	DAY 3	ATL 8	LVS 1	BRI 8	COA 15	MAR 7	TEX 12	KAN 13	DAR 30	NWS 14	CLT 17	GTW 16	NSH 4	POC 10	IRP 8	RCH 17	MLW 18	BRI 3	KAN 7	TAL 4	HOM 8	MAR 31	PHO 13	7th	2213

Truck No. 77 History

Purdy at Las Vegas in 2024

In 2023, Spire fielded the No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado for Derek Kraus at season finale at Phoenix.

In 2024, the No. 77 is being driven full-time by Chase Purdy.

Truck No. 77 results

Year	Driver	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	Owners	Pts
2023	Derek Kraus	77	Chevy	DAY	LVS	ATL	COA	TEX	BRD	MAR	KAN	DAR	NWS	CLT	GTW	NSH	MOH	POC	RCH	IRP	MLW	KAN	BRI	TAL	HOM	PHO 28	45th	9
2024	Chase Purdy			DAY 28	ATL 15	LVS 16	BRI 33	COA 22	MAR 3	TEX 25	KAN 28	DAR 6	NWS 24	CLT 14	GTW 6	NSH 21	POC 6	IRP 13	RCH 20	MLW 23	BRI 6	KAN 11	TAL 25	HOM 26	MAR 3	PHO 13	18th	513

External links

• Official website
• Spire Motorsports owner statistics at Racing-Reference