Spire Motorsports has solidified its driver lineup for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, ending speculation that Kyle Busch might switch teams. Rumors about Busch potentially joining Spire Motorsports arose after it was revealed that Corey LaJoie would not return to the team for the 2025 season. Busch was among the drivers considered to replace LaJoie in the No. 7 Chevrolet.
The connection between Busch and Spire Motorsports goes beyond mere speculation. At the end of the 2023 season, Busch sold his Kyle Busch Motorsports Truck Series team to Spire Motorsports, and he has raced for them at the Truck level five times in 2024, securing two victories. Additionally, Busch has openly expressed frustration in his second season with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), fueling further rumors about a possible move.
Busch’s transition to RCR from Joe Gibbs Racing had a promising start, with three victories in the first half of the 2023 season. However, the second half of that year marked a decline in performance, and the downturn continued into 2024. Busch failed to win a race during the regular season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Should he remain winless in the final seven races of the 2024 season, it would mark his first winless season as a full-time driver, ending his 19-season win streak, which broke Richard Petty’s previous record of 18 consecutive winning seasons.
Despite these frustrations, Busch won’t be joining Spire Motorsports in 2025. The rumors subsided recently as Busch’s contract with Richard Childress Racing extends through the 2025 season. It’s now official that Busch will remain with RCR for a third year, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet.
Spire Motorsports has decided to act before the 2024 season ends by replacing LaJoie. Justin Haley, who switched from Kaulig Racing to Rick Ware Racing after the 2023 season, will take over the No. 7 Chevrolet starting with the Kansas Speedway race. LaJoie, in turn, will move to Rick Ware Racing, driving Haley’s former No. 51 Ford.
For Haley, this move marks a reunion with Spire Motorsports, where he achieved the team’s first Cup Series victory. In a surprising turn of events, Haley won at Daytona International Speedway in July 2019 during just his third career start, delivering Spire its first win in its inaugural season.
This driver swap with Haley solidifies Spire Motorsports’ lineup for the 2025 season. Haley has been confirmed to continue driving for the team in 2025. In addition, Michael McDowell is set to replace Zane Smith in the No. 71 Chevrolet after departing Front Row Motorsports following seven seasons. Carson Hocevar is also returning to the team after a strong rookie year in the No. 77 Chevrolet.
As for Busch, he is confirmed to stay with Richard Childress Racing through 2025. His status beyond that remains uncertain, as his contract is due to expire at the end of next year.
NASCAR: Surprise driver change ends Kyle Busch rumor
