Spire Motorsports is making bold moves as they aim for significant growth and competitiveness in the Cup Series by 2025. Their aggressive expansion began in 2023 when they acquired a third charter from Live Fast Motorsports for $40 million. In addition, they made another major move by taking over Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series. With these strategic steps, Spire set the groundwork for an ambitious plan to challenge the top teams.
However, acquiring charters and teams is only part of the strategy. Spire needed the right personnel to lead the charge. They made a notable hire by bringing veteran driver Michael McDowell from Front Row Motorsports (FRM). McDowell has a wealth of experience in the Cup Series, including a Daytona 500 win. To further strengthen their team, Spire secured Rodney Childers, a highly respected crew chief with a successful track record. But their most talked-about move was the mid-season signing of Justin Haley, who replaced Corey LaJoie. These signings were seen as a clear indication of Spire’s intent to build a competitive team.
Much of Spire’s recent actions seem influenced by their close relationship with Hendrick Motorsports (HMS). Rumors surfaced suggesting that Haley could eventually replace Alex Bowman in the #48 car at HMS. However, despite speculation, NASCAR insiders have clarified that Hendrick has no plans to change its current driver lineup. While Haley’s future at HMS remains uncertain, his move to Spire is part of a larger plan to elevate the team’s status in the sport.
The partnership between Spire and HMS has been well-known, especially since Corey LaJoie filled in for Chase Elliott at HMS after his suspension. Many believed LaJoie was in line to replace Bowman until his victory in Chicago solidified his position. When LaJoie left the #7 car, rumors began to swirl that Justin Haley was being positioned to take over a seat at Hendrick Motorsports. This idea gained momentum when Brett Griffin, on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, mentioned that Spire was in discussions with Chevrolet to become a tier-one team, potentially creating a “mini-Hendrick.”
These rumors escalated to the point where Bowman had to confirm that he was staying with HMS through 2026, putting an end to much of the speculation. The mid-season swap for Justin Haley, however, shows that Spire Motorsports is serious about building a winning team around him. Haley is set to work with Rodney Childers in 2024, getting a head start before officially beginning their collaboration in 2025.
On the YouTube show *Out of the Groove*, NASCAR commentator Eric Estepp weighed in on the situation. He acknowledged that while Haley is a talented driver, HMS isn’t likely to replace Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, or Alex Bowman any time soon. Still, Estepp pointed out that the pressure would be on Haley to perform, especially if Spire becomes a tier-one Chevrolet partner. “I’m excited for Justin Haley, but I’m also nervous for him,” Estepp said, explaining that with a good car comes higher expectations. If Haley doesn’t meet those expectations, his opportunity could slip away as quickly as it arrived.
What does the future hold for Justin Haley at Spire Motorsports? If Rick Hendrick came calling, would Haley leave Spire? It’s a storyline that could become more relevant by 2025, depending on the performance of both Haley and Bowman. For now, Haley has a golden opportunity to prove himself, and he’s not the only one looking for redemption.
Rodney Childers, who will be working with Haley, is also hoping for a revival of sorts. Childers is best known for his successful partnership with Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR). Together, they won a Cup Series championship in their first year and made five championship-four appearances between 2014 and 2019. However, their dominant run ended as Harvick’s career wound down, and Childers hasn’t experienced a victory in almost two years.
Now at Spire, Childers is ready for a fresh challenge. Speaking about Haley, Childers expressed excitement about working with the young driver. “Justin’s a good person with good values, and that’s important to me at this stage in my career,” Childers said before the Bristol race. He also noted that many people in the garage believe in Haley’s abilities, and Childers is eager to help him succeed. Childers believes that joining Spire could rejuvenate his career, adding that he needs an environment that will challenge him, which he thinks Spire will provide.
As the team prepares for 2025, the partnership between Haley and Childers shows promise. With their combined talent and experience, the #7 team could be a serious contender for wins in the near future. Spire Motorsports’ efforts are beginning to pay off, and it will be interesting to see how this ambitious project unfolds.
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