Spire Motorsports has confirmed a major lineup addition, naming two-time Daytona 500 winner William Byron as its driver for the upcoming Heart of America 200 at Kansas Speedway. The change, revealed on May 6, comes as part of Spire Motorsports’ ongoing collaboration with Hendrickcars.com, allowing the team to field premier Cup Series talent in the No.07 Chevy Silverado for key Truck Series events.
Byron previously suited up for Spire Motorsports at Martinsville Speedway, a venue where he last claimed a Truck Series win in 2022—securing Spire Motorsports’ inaugural victory in the division. This season, the team has strategically rotated its drivers, with Byron’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Kyle Larson, recently piloting the No.07 Chevy at Homestead-Miami and Bristol Motor Speedway. Larson captured the win in Miami and was a close runner-up at Bristol, reinforcing the strength of Spire Motorsports’ approach.
Despite Byron finishing outside the top ten at Martinsville, anticipation is high as he aims for redemption on the 1.5-mile Kansas tri-oval. Byron’s record in the Craftsman Truck Series is formidable, boasting eight career wins, seven of which were secured during his standout 2016 rookie season. That campaign not only earned him Rookie of the Year honors but included a notable victory at Kansas Speedway—a track that holds both strong memories and strategic significance for Spire Motorsports.
Spire Motorsports’ current season has been marked by both opportunity and adversity. Just recently, team driver Michael McDowell faced heartbreak at Texas Motor Speedway. After a bold two-tire strategy put McDowell’s No.71 Chevy in contention with front-runners like Larson, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney, he seized the lead on a late restart. However, McDowell ultimately lost ground and, with just three laps remaining, crashed into the outside SAFER barrier, ending his chances for victory.
A win for McDowell would’ve ended Spire Motorsports’ 58-race winless streak; the team’s last victory came in 2019 with Justin Haley at Daytona International Speedway,
he reflected in conversation with Frontstretch.
This latest Spire Motorsports driver swap reflects both ongoing ambition and a willingness to recalibrate. With William Byron’s proven talent on intermediate tracks, expectations are rising for a breakthrough as the team strives to reclaim its place in the winner’s circle. If Byron’s past performance at Kansas is any indication, Spire Motorsports could be on the verge of a significant turning point, making the Heart of America 200 an event to watch closely in the weeks ahead.
