Spire Motorsports has finalized their driver lineup for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, putting to rest speculation that Kyle Busch might switch teams. After it was revealed that Corey LaJoie wouldn’t return to Spire Motorsports next season, Busch was seen as a potential candidate to take over the No. 7 Chevrolet.
This idea wasn’t far-fetched since Busch had sold his Truck Series team, Kyle Busch Motorsports, to Spire Motorsports at the end of the 2023 season. He also raced for the team five times this year in the Truck Series, securing two wins. Moreover, Busch has expressed dissatisfaction during his second year with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), fueling rumors of a potential move.
Although Busch had a strong start to the 2023 season with three wins for RCR, his performance took a downward turn in the second half of the year. This decline extended into 2024, where he failed to win a race during the regular season and, for the first time since 2012, missed the playoffs. If he doesn’t secure a win in the remaining seven races of 2024, it would be his first winless season as a full-time Cup Series driver, ending a streak of 19 consecutive seasons with at least one victory. Busch had broken Richard Petty’s previous record of 18 straight winning seasons just last year.
Despite the growing speculation, Busch will not be joining Spire Motorsports in 2025. Rumors about a switch have died down in recent weeks, largely because Busch’s contract with RCR extends through the 2025 season. With Spire Motorsports now solidifying their 2025 lineup, any chance of Busch making a move to their team has been ruled out.
Spire Motorsports opted to make a driver change ahead of the 2024 season’s conclusion. Justin Haley, who moved to Rick Ware Racing from Kaulig Racing after the 2023 season, is set to replace LaJoie starting with the upcoming race at Kansas Speedway. LaJoie will, in turn, take over Haley’s former ride, the No. 51 Ford at Rick Ware Racing.
This move marks a homecoming for Haley, who previously achieved an unexpected win for Spire Motorsports in their first Cup Series season back in 2019. Haley’s victory at Daytona International Speedway came in just his third career start and remains Spire Motorsports’ only win to date. His return to the team has been confirmed through the 2025 season, solidifying Spire Motorsports’ driver roster for next year.
Additionally, the team has secured other key drivers for the 2025 season. Michael McDowell, who has been with Front Row Motorsports for seven seasons, will leave the team to replace Zane Smith in the No. 71 Chevrolet. Carson Hocevar, who impressed during his rookie season driving the No. 77 Chevrolet, will also return to the team next year.
As for Busch, he is slated to continue with RCR for the 2025 season, marking his third year behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet. However, his future beyond 2025 remains uncertain, as his current contract is set to expire at the end of next year.
In summary, Spire Motorsports’ 2025 lineup is now in place, with no room for Busch. Despite his frustrations at RCR and early rumors linking him to the team, Busch will stay with Richard Childress Racing for at least one more year. Meanwhile, Spire Motorsports is moving forward with Haley, McDowell, and Hocevar as their drivers for the upcoming season. The uncertainty around Busch’s future beyond 2025 will likely be a topic of discussion as the next season unfolds, but for now, his focus remains on trying to break his winless streak before the end of 2024.
Kyle Busch’s Future in Chaos: Spire Motorsports Ends Team Switch Rumors!
