Spire Motorsports

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Spire Motorsports
File:Spire Motorsports logo.png
Owner(s) Jeff Dickerson
T. J. Puchyr[1]
Base Mooresville, North Carolina
Series NASCAR Cup Series
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Race drivers Cup Series
7. Corey LaJoie
71. Zane Smith (R)
77. Carson Hocevar (R)
Truck Series
7. Corey LaJoie, Kyle Busch, Connor Zilisch, Sammy Smith, TBA
71. Rajah Caruth
77. Chase Purdy
Sponsors Cup Series
7. Chili's, Celsius, USANA, Group1001 (Gainbridge), Schlüter Systems
71. WeatherTech, City of Refuge, Focused Health, Ambetter Health
77. Group1001 (Gainbridge, Delaware Life), Premier Security Solutions, Zeigler Auto Group
Truck Series
7. Bluegreen Vacations, Group1001, Austin Hatcher Foundation, TMC Transportation, Realtree, Pilot Flying J, Golden Harvest
71. HendrickCars.com
77. Bama Buggies
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:
2017 Ford EcoBoost 400 (Homestead)
Xfinity Series:
2023 Cabo Wabo Tequila 250 (Michigan)
Truck Series:
2016 North Carolina Education Lottery 200 (Charlotte)
Races competed 219
Drivers' Championships 0
Race victories 5 (1 Cup, 4 Trucks)
Pole positions 2 (2 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 Corey LaJoie, the No. 71 for Zane Smith, 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 for Chase Purdy. 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.[1][2][3] FRR President Joe Garone joined the team to serve the same position.[4]

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.[5] Following the acquisition, the team moved their headquarters from Mooresville to the former shop of AK Racing in Concord, North Carolina.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]

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."[9] In 2022, Spire purchased Rick Ware Racing’s No. 53 charter for the No. 77.[10]

On September 16, 2023, Spire purchased Live Fast Motorsports charter for US$40 million to field a third team in 2024.[11] Less than two weeks later, on September 27, Spire agreed to purchase the assets of NASCAR Truck Series team Kyle Busch Motorsports.[12] On December 4, former Chip Ganassi Racing COO Doug Duchardt was named President of Spire Motorsports.[13]

NASCAR Cup Series

Car No. 7 history

Corey LaJoie (2021–present)

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.[6]

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.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16]

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.[17]

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

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 TAL DOV KAN DAR CLT GTW SON IOW NHA NSH CSC POC IND RCH MCH DAY DAR ATL GLN BRI KAN TAL ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO

Car No. 71 history

Zane Smith (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 will drive the Spire car until he is expected to move to Trackhouse, in a third car, in 2025.[11][18]

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 TAL DOV KAN DAR CLT GTW SON IOW NHA NSH CSC POC IND RCH MCH DAY DAR ATL GLN BRI KAN TAL ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO

Car No. 77 history

Multiple drivers (2019–2022)

In January 2019, Quin Houff signed with Spire for a part-time schedule in the No. 77 in 2019 starting at Phoenix Raceway.[19] 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.[4][20] Prior to Houff's debut, Garrett Smithley and Reed Sorenson drove the car at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, respectively.[21][22] Prior to the Atlanta race, car chief Shane Callis was ejected from the track after the No. 77 failed pre-qualifying inspection multiple times.[23] D. J. Kennington joined the team for the Martinsville Speedway race.[24] In April, NASCAR Xfinity Series regular Justin Haley made his Cup debut with the team at Talladega Superspeedway.[25]

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.[26]

On September 29, Blake Jones was announced to drive the No. 77 at the October Talladega race.[27] 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.[28]

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.[29]

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.[30]

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.

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)

On October 17, 2022, Spire Motorsports announced that Ty Dillon would drive the No. 77 full-time in 2023.[31] 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.[32]

Carson Hocevar (2024)

On October 10, 2023, Carson Hocevar was announced as the driver of the No. 77 for the 2024 season, effectively replacing Dillon.[33][34]

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 TAL DOV KAN DAR CLT GTW SON IOW NHA NSH CSC POC IND RCH MCH DAY DAR ATL GLN BRI KAN TAL ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO

Xfinity Series

Car No. 77 history

File:2023 Tennessee Lottery 250 - Hocevar leaves the race.jpg
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.[35] 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)

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.[36] 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.[37] On April 7, William Byron gave Spire its first Truck Series win at Martinsville.[38] Chase Elliott drove the No. 7 to a seventh-place finish at Bristol dirt race.[39] 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.[40]

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.[41]

File:Kyle Busch 7 Truck Las Vegas 2024.jpg
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.[42] Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing development driver, made his debut race in the series with Spire Motorsports at COTA.[43] On March 27, 2024, it was announced that Sammy Smith would drive the No. 7 Truck in a four-race deal.[44]

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
KAN CLT GTW NSH POC RCH BRI KAN HOM MAR PHO
Kyle Busch ATL
1
LVS
15
BRI
2
TEX DAR
Connor Zilisch COA
4
TAL
Sammy Smith MAR
8
NWS IRP MLW

Truck No. 71 History

File:Rajah Caruth 71 Truck Las Vegas 2024.jpg
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.[45] At Las Vegas, Caruth scored his first career win, becoming only the third African-American driver to win a NASCAR national series race.[46]

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 KAN DAR NWS CLT GTW NSH POC IRP RCH MLW BRI KAN TAL HOM MAR PHO

Truck No. 77 History

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 KAN DAR NWS CLT GTW NSH POC IRP RCH MLW BRI KAN TAL HOM MAR PHO

References

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External links

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Template:NASCAR Truck Series teams

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