Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Engine: Hendrick Motorsports
Driver-Crew Chief Pairings: Justin Haley-Rodney Childers (No. 7); Michael McDowell-Travis Peterson (No. 71); Carson Hocevar-Luke Lambert (No. 77).

Team Outlook: Spire Motorsports enters its seventh Cup Series season with its most ambitious lineup yet, featuring a compelling mix of veteran experience and young talent. The organization has undergone a significant transformation, adding Michael McDowell to join Justin Haley and Carson Hocevar while strengthening its technical leadership with Matt McCall as Director of Vehicle Performance and Dax Gerringer as Technical Director. The team’s foundation-building efforts continue to expand with a new headquarters and successful Truck Series program.

JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 7 CHEVROLET

Experience: Four full seasons in NASCAR Cup Series
2024 Stats: 31st in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 0 top fives, 3 top 10s
2025 Championship Odds (DraftKings): 250-1

Outlook: Haley’s return to Spire, where he claimed the team’s lone Cup victory at Daytona in 2019, showed immediate promise with a seventh-place finish at Talladega in late 2024. The 25-year-old driver pairs with championship-winning crew chief Rodney Childers, whose 40 Cup victories and veteran leadership could unlock new potential in the young talent. This pairing represents one of the most intriguing crew chief-driver combinations of 2025.

MICHAEL McDOWELL, NO. 71 CHEVROLET

Experience: 17 seasons in NASCAR Cup Series (full-time for the last eight seasons)
2024 Stats: 23rd in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 2 top fives, 7 top 10s
2025 Championship Odds (DraftKings): 170-1

Outlook: McDowell’s move to Spire marks his first team change since 2018, but he brings familiar company in crew chief Travis Peterson. The duo’s chemistry produced six pole positions in 2024, and their previous success, including McDowell’s 2023 Indianapolis road course victory, suggests they could be immediate contenders. After missing the 2024 playoffs, McDowell aims to return to postseason competition with his new team.

CARSON HOCEVAR, NO. 77 CHEVROLET

Experience: One full season in NASCAR Cup Series
2024 Stats: 21st in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 1 top five, 6 top 10s
2025 Championship Odds (DraftKings): 130-1

Outlook: Fresh off his Rookie of the Year campaign, Hocevar enters 2025 as Spire’s longest-tenured current driver. The 21-year-old impressed with six top-10 finishes last season, including a standout third-place at Watkins Glen. While his aggressive style occasionally led to rookie mistakes, Hocevar’s sophomore season presents an opportunity to refine his approach while building on his promising debut year.

BOLD PREDICTION: McDowell will snap a 42-year winless streak for the No. 71 car (last won by Dave Marcis at Richmond in 1982) and secure a playoff spot. Additionally, either Haley or Hocevar will join him in the postseason via superspeedway success, marking Spire’s most successful season to date.

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