As we move towards putting the 2024 reviews to a close, the next team up is Spire Motorsports. Debuting in 2019 with one car (#77), Spire initially put together a surprisingly successful 2024 season now fielding three full-time entries. Rookies Carson Hocevar and Zane Smith headed up the strong season, while the teams third #7 entry saw the season split between Corey LaJoie and Justin Haley.
For 2025, Spire as a whole has made several key changes amongst all three teams and could be poised to have a breakout year.
Corey LaJoie & Justin Haley / #7 Chevrolet (various sponsors)
2024 Crew Chief: Ryan Sparks
2024 Season Grade: D
Corey LaJoie entered his fourth season behind the wheel of Spire’s no. 7 entry in 2024, with an eye towards it being a career year for both team and driver. Bringing sponsor Chili’s on board for Daytona and several other races, the team was now fully funded for the season.
LaJoie gave the white and red Chili’s entry a good run in the Daytona 500, finishing fourth. This was followed by a thirteenth in Atlanta, and the team appeared to be poised for that career season. Then race number three in Las Vegas, which resulted in a 32nd place finish. The Vegas finish would tell the tale of a good portion of LaJoie’s season in the #7 Chevrolet, as LaJoie would struggle to even break the top twenty most weeks while free falling through the points. Eying the end of the season, big changes were on the horizon for both team and driver.
Scoring only two more top ten finishes in Darlington and Watkins Glen, LaJoie and former Spire driver Justin Haley would swap rides. Beginning in Kansas, LaJoie would take over the #51 Rick Ware Racing Ford for Haley, and Haley rejoined the Spire team. While Haley certainly elevated RWR’s #51 team, joining the 7 team so late in the season did not leave much time to jell. After a 33rd place finish in Kansas, Haley would finish 7th in Talladega. Followed by several mid-pack finishes to wrap the season up.
2025 Outlook: 2025 may be shaping up to be the #7 Spire team’s best to date. Haley will return to the 7 team, while former SHR/Kevin Harvick crew chief Rodney Childers will be on the pit box. While a playoff run in the first full season together seems out of reach, the team of Haley, Childers, and a strong crop of Chevrolets could see Haley surprise a few times. Keep a watchful eye on the superspeedways, as Haley and the 7 team are consistent performers.
Zane Smith / #71 Focused Health Chevrolet
2024 Crew Chief: Stephen Doran
2024 Season Grade: C
2022 Truck Series champion Zane Smith joined Spire Motorsports’ new #71 team for the new season. Signing with Trackhouse (at the time), rookie Smith ran his first full Cup Series season in a partnership between Trackhouse and Spire to get him established in the competitive field.
The season started decently, as Smith would have Trackhouse sponsor WeatherTech on the 71 for the Daytona 500. Qualifying 14th, Smith would finish the 500 in 13th to start the season. The season opener was a high point for much of 2024, as Smith and #71 Chevrolet would struggle mightily in much of the regular season, not finishing better then 16th (Sonoma).
The late summer Nashville race proved to be a turning point somewhat for the team. Starting 36th, Smith would finish an impressive second…this would begin the team’s somewhat turnaround. The remainder of the year would see Spire’s #71 entry be a frequent presence in the top twenty. Some other highlights include top ten’s in Michigan and Kansas, and a 5th place in Watkins Glen. Smith would end the 2024 campaign with an average finish of 23rd, and four top ten finishes.
2025 Outlook: With the deal with Smith and Trackhouse falling through, Smith will re-join Front Row Motorsports who elevated his career in 2022. In an ironic twist, taking over for Smith will be former Front Row driver Michael McDowell. McDowell, who has spent the last several seasons with FRM will bring crew chief Travis Peterson with him.
The additions of McDowell and Peterson could possibly elevate the 71 team, as the driver-crew chief duo experienced a tremendous amount of success together already. Pairing that with the last season uptick in performance of the team could produce some surprising results in 2025. This however will likely not be an overnight change.
Carson Hocevar / #77 Delaware Life/Zeigler Auto Chevrolet
2024 Crew Chief: Luke Lambert
2024 Season Grade: C+
Carson Hocevar also joined teammate Zane Smith as a rookie at Spire Motorsports for the 2024 season. Following a similar path from trucks, Hocevar signed to pilot the flagship #77 Chevrolet also in a bid for Rookie of the Year honors. Having only a handful of Cup starts in 2023, the learning curve would be somewhat steeper for Hocevar.
The beginning of the season saw Hocevar break out almost right away following Daytona. Scoring six top twenty finishes (including 10th in Texas) in the first ten races, Hocevar began to show the potential Spire saw in him as he continued on his rookie journey. Hocevar, known for his sometimes aggressive driving style, saw a mix of finishes throughout the season. While several races did not end with a desired result, Hocevar did score six top ten finishes and a top five in Watkins Glen.
Handedly winning the 2024 Rookie of the Year award over teammate Smith, Hocevar put together a surprisingly strong season when not much was necessarily expected. The season ended with the 77 team collecting an average finish of 18th, only two DNFs, and completed 97% of laps in 2024.
2025 Outlook: Team and driver will be returning as is for the new season, which will give them a chance to build more on the previous season. While nothing is promised certainly, the 77 team seemed to be most consistent performer of Spire’s three cars. A consistent force in the top twenty seems to be an attainable goal as Spire continues to elevate as a whole. The one wildcard is Hocevar’s driving style, which has sometimes gotten him into trouble in the past. If Lambert can temper some of this, the sophomore driver could be in line to be a threat for a surprise win.
