NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace recently provided valuable insights into the future direction of Spire Motorsports, particularly in light of Corey LaJoie’s departure from the team. Spire Motorsports, which currently fields three teams in the NASCAR Cup Series and an additional three in the Truck Series, is poised for significant transformations as it prepares for the upcoming season.
In a recent announcement, the team confirmed that LaJoie would not be returning to pilot the No. 7 Chevrolet in 2025. LaJoie, who joined Spire in 2021, has had a commendable run with the team, securing four top-five finishes and six top-10 finishes during his tenure. His performance peaked with a remarkable fourth-place finish in the prestigious 2024 Daytona 500, showcasing his potential and competitiveness on the track.
In a strategic move aimed at revitalizing the No. 7 team, Spire Motorsports has appointed Rodney Childers, a seasoned crew chief from Stewart-Haas Racing, to take the helm. While the identity of the new driver for the 2025 season remains undisclosed, Wallace speculated that Childers will play a pivotal role in the selection process. He hinted that Spire is likely targeting a high-profile driver to fill the vacancy left by LaJoie.
“They just let Cory LaJoie go for next year, so that means Rodney Childers gets to choose a driver,” Wallace remarked during his commentary. “I think they brought Rodney Childers in to elevate the team. I expect them to hire a big-name driver because they’ll need one. They have Zane Smith and Carson,” he added, referencing the potential candidates within the organization.
Wallace further underscored Childers’ reputation within the sport, stating, “Rodney Childers is one of the top crew chiefs in all of NASCAR.” His expertise and experience are expected to be instrumental in guiding the team through this transitional phase and enhancing their competitive edge in the upcoming season. As Spire Motorsports navigates these changes, all eyes will be on their next moves and the driver they ultimately choose to lead the No. 7 Chevrolet into the future.
Spire Motorsports, co-owned by Jeff Dickerson and T.J. Puchyr, is actively competing in the Cup Series with their No. 7, No. 71, and No. 77 cars, driven by Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar in the latter two vehicles. They also field the same number of trucks in the Truck Series, featuring a rotation of drivers in the No. 7 truck, with Rajah Caruth behind the wheel of the No. 71 and Chase Purdy in the No. 77. The team celebrated its inaugural Cup Series victory in 2019 when Justin Haley triumphed at Daytona, while their most recent Truck Series win came in 2024 with Kyle Busch at Texas Motor Speedway.
Spire Motorsports is making a significant move by bringing on board Rodney Childers, a renowned crew chief celebrated for his successful tenure with Kevin Harvick, including a Cup championship in 2014. The team is confident that Childers will elevate their performance and help them achieve new milestones. “Rodney is a Hall-of-Fame caliber crew chief with 40 wins to his name. He stands out as one of the finest in the garage, and when someone of his caliber becomes available, we must do everything possible to integrate him into our expanding organization,” stated Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire Motorsports.
Childers’ career highlights include his first victory with David Reutimann at the Coca-Cola 600 for Michael Waltrip Racing at Charlotte, followed by another win at Chicagoland Speedway in 2010. Over three years, he secured two poles, two wins, 12 top-fives, and 21 top-10 finishes. In 2014, he joined Stewart-Haas Racing as the crew chief for the No. 4 team, where he and Harvick kicked off their partnership at Phoenix Raceway and ultimately captured the Cup Series championship that year.
