Will 2026 be the season where Spire Motorsports take the next jump? 2025 saw the organization move in the right direction, but still lagged behind most of the teams. Still, there were races where Carson Hocevar and Michael McDowell looked to be threats to win. Unfortunately for them, a majority of those promising runs were spoiled by mechanical problems. Heading into 2026, the technical side of the organization needs to tighten up if their drivers will have a shot to compete for wins or The Chase. That is the big question to ponder while looking at the 2026 Season Preview for Spire Motorsports.
#7 – Daniel Suarez
Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images
Crew Chief: Ryan Sparks
2025 Points Finish: 29
2026 Announced Sponsors: Freeway Insurance, Cal Ripken, Sr Foundation
After 5 seasons with Trackhouse Racing, Daniel Suarez will be racing with a new team in 2026. His tenure with Trackhouse never surpassed the peak he hit in 2022. Since then, his former organization seemed increasingly likely to part with their original driver. Once Connor Zilisch looked to be the next big thing, Suarez’s days were numbered. Now, Suarez takes over the voodooed car of the Spire Motorsports camp. Over the past 2 seasons, the driver to start in the 7 car has not made it to the following season. Will Daniel Suarez change that pattern?
2026 Expectations
Between the three Spire Motorsports drivers, Daniel Suarez will be the toughest to pin expectations to for 2026. Although his mediocre 2024 and 2025 saw him lose his ride, he is not a back-marker type driver. On the right day (with the right equipment), Suarez can compete for Top-5s and 10s, especially on road courses. However, the question of equipment is pertaining one. For the most part, Spire is a set down in equipment compared to Trackhouse. Can Suarez maximize that equipment to put together a respectable season? Maybe, but the lean is toward no. The goal for the season will be a Top-20 points finish.
The Chase Format
Out of the three Spire drivers, Daniel Suarez is the longest shot to make The Chase. His struggles with consistency in recent years does not bode well for the new format. With win-and-in gone, it is difficult to envision Suarez putting together a 26 race stretch where he can outrace the pack to be in the Top-16.
#71 – Michael McDowell
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Crew Chief: Travis Peterson
2025 Points Finish: 22
2026 Announced Sponsors: B’laster, Workforce, Go Bowling, Group 1001, Gainbridge, Delaware Life, GUNK, Tecovas
After serving as the mainstay for Front Row Motorsports for 7 seasons, Michael McDowell jumped ship to be the veteran driver for Spire Motorsports. In his new setting, McDowell put together another solid McDowell-esque season. He set a career high with 3 Top-5s while putting together his best average finish since 2022. While he never threatened to be a playoff driver, McDowell put together some impressive runs. Most notably, the start to the Chicago Street Course where he looked to be a formidable challenge to Shane van Gisbergen.
2026 Expectations
Copy and paste the last 4 seasons from Michael McDowell and those are the expectations. Barring a significant jump in equipment from Spire Motorsports, you cannot expect much more than a handful of Top-5s and flirting with double digit Top-10s. McDowell is a solid driver, but he cannot work magic with underperforming equipment. Obviously, the two exceptions will be road courses and superspeedways. If McDowell wins a race, those two track types would be where it happens.
The Chase Factor
Without win-and-in, there is not much chance that Michael McDowell finds his way to The Chase. Granted, he has managed to race around the Top-16 in points in previous seasons. However, the middle of the pack is too strong to think that McDowell and the 71 team can feasibly point their way in. Would it be the most significant upset if he does qualify? No; but the odds are not in McDowell’s favor.
#77 – Carson Hocevar
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Crew Chief: Luke Lambert
2025 Points Finish: 23
2026 Announced Sponsors: Zeigler Auto Group, Delaware Life, Gainbridge, Premier Security, MINER, Chili’s
While Carson Hocevar does ruffle the feathers of drivers and fans alike, he is clearly the most promising young driver in the field. Entering his 23-yeard old season, Hocevar’s potential is through the roof. Last year, he found himself racing upfront more than you would expect from a Spire Motorsports entry. What spoiled a lot of his best runs were mechanical issues. Of his 7 DNFs, 5 were due to his equipment rather than wrecking. Hocevar still has much to learn in Cup racing, but it is undeniable the talent that he has displayed thus far.
2026 Expectations
Could Carson Hocevar pick up his first career win this year? Based on the speed the 77 team had last year, it would seem likely. There were a handful of races where Hocevar would be able to compete with the leaders until his engine would let go. It would not be a stretch of the imagination to see him win a race this year that was not a superspeedway. Outside of that, the big area of improvement for Hocevar will be to find that consistency. What could help is not pissing off early other driver in the field. Having an edge as the aggressive driver is one thing, but Hocevar does not need the giant target that has been firmly stapled to his back.
The Chase Factor
Carson Hocevar is a dark horse for The Chase. In terms of pure speed, he should be considered as a driver who can find his way into one of the last spots. The questions arise with the equipment and his temperament. Hocever does not appear to be a driver who considers the long game. Every race is the only race that matters and doing whatever it takes to achieve the best finish possible is not a bad mindset to have. However, it could lead to detrimental conduct that hurts the points position.
Catch up on the previous 2026 Season Previews
Hendrick Motorsports; Joe Gibbs Racing; Team Penske; Trackhouse Racing; 23XI Racing; RFK Racing