With the Spire Motorsports Iowa Corn 350 preview at the forefront, all eyes turn to Iowa Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 3, as Justin Haley, Michael McDowell, and Carson Hocevar strive to build on previous performances and secure a landmark result for their team in the NASCAR Cup Series. Spire Motorsports fields the No. 7, 71, and 77 Chevrolet ZL1s, aiming to break into the top tier after only one top-15 finish at Iowa Speedway in their history, with coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. EDT on USA Network.
Spire Motorsports Looks to Capitalize in Iowa
Beyond a single 14th-place finish by Carson Hocevar last year, Spire Motorsports has yet to fully unlock its potential at the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol. Entering the 22nd of thirty-six points races in the 2025 season, the organization anticipates improved showings as drivers and crews fine-tune their approach. Live coverage will span both television and radio, offering fans multiple ways to follow the unfolding competition.
The team will again line up the Nos. 7, 71, and 77 Chevrolets. Justin Haley, Michael McDowell, and Carson Hocevar bring a blend of veteran know-how and emerging talent as they seek to move Spire Motorsports higher up the standings amid stiff opposition at the 0.875-mile oval. Their performances at tracks of similar length and profile could set the stage for a breakthrough run in Newton, Iowa.
Justin Haley: Building on Momentum in the No. 7 Chevrolet
Justin Haley enters the Iowa Corn 350 after a standout week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, finishing 11th to collect a career-best at the famed venue while teammate Carson Hocevar managed a top-10. The Winamac, Indiana native’s recent momentum includes an improved average finish over the last six rounds, lowering his season number to 17.83 against a previous 22.5. This trend signals positive changes in the No. 7 Gainbridge Chevrolet ZL1’s performance and strategic direction led by crew chief Ryan Sparks.
Haley’s history at Iowa runs deep. Last year, the Cup Series newcomer at Iowa saw him work up from 19th on the grid to secure a strong 13th-place finish. In the Xfinity Series, Haley’s best at the track came with an 8th place in July 2019. He also posted a 10th in NASCAR’s Truck Series at Iowa, proving he can adapt across disciplines at the short track.
With 166 Cup Series appearances behind him, Haley distinguishes himself as one of only 41 drivers to have reached victory lane in all three of NASCAR’s National Touring Series: one Cup win, four in Xfinity, and three in the Truck Series. In the Cup, his record includes a win, five top-five finishes, 16 top 10s, and 118 laps led. The driver’s reliable presence and growing partnership with the Gainbridge brand, a Group 1001 insurtech enterprise, reflects his stature both on and off the track.
Iowa was one of my favorites last season and I’ve always enjoyed racing there. I have raced at Iowa in all three NASCAR series and have good seat time there. We’ve had a good stretch lately with the No. 7 team and we’re building momentum each week. I feel like we are in position for a good result this weekend.
—Justin Haley, Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1
Ryan Sparks’ Dual Role as Crew Chief and Competition Director
Guiding Haley’s efforts on race day is Ryan Sparks, who also serves as Spire Motorsports’ Competition Director. Their partnership began at Kansas Speedway in September 2024, and Sparks brings a wealth of Cup Series experience, having led teams in 189 starts and securing three top-five and nine top-10 results. At Iowa, his record includes a top-25 from last year’s Cup Series debut at the venue. With his Winston Salem background in mind, Sparks’ expertise could play a crucial role in further lifting the No. 7 team’s competitive trajectory.
Michael McDowell and the No. 71 Team Seek a Turnaround
Veteran racer Michael McDowell, from Glendale, Arizona, prepares to take the wheel of the No. 71 Delaware Life Chevrolet ZL1 for Sunday’s event. McDowell’s track record at Iowa includes broad experience in the Xfinity Series, with two top-five and seven top-10 finishes, and a runner-up effort from August 2014 that still stands out in his career. In the ARCA Menards Series, his results are highlighted by a seventh and a second-place finish during 2006 and 2007.
During last year’s first Cup Series event at Iowa, McDowell started 22nd and finished 23rd, describing the circuit as
The Fastest Short Track on the Planet,
and noting its unique challenge, owing to new patches and evolving racing grooves. The No. 71 car will display Bell Salvage on the rear quarter panels this weekend, a nod to local business support with company headquarters just under an hour from the track.
The No. 71 team has drawn attention both for its speed and its success off the oval. They dominated the Mechanix Wear Pit Crew Challenge during NASCAR All-Star Weekend at North Wilkesboro, recording a sub-13-second pit stop that bested all peers. This accomplishment not only netted a $100,000 prize but also reinforced the crew’s capability under pressure. Recent highlights for the team include claiming their first Busch Light Pole Award at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and a maiden stage win at the Grant Park 165 in Chicago.
It was honestly my best track in Xfinity from a results standpoint, but going back there last year—it was so different. The track had aged in some areas, but then there was new asphalt and patches. It was a very different racetrack.
—Michael McDowell, Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1
It was still fun. Big crowd, big event. Going back this time, I think everyone is looking forward to having their cars drive a little better, getting over that bump in Turn 1 a little smoother, and not being so caught off guard by how challenging the track is. It’s another big opportunity for us.
—Michael McDowell, Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1
Leadership from Travis Peterson on the No. 71 Pit Box
Travis Peterson calls the strategy shots for McDowell’s squad in what will be his second Cup Series event at Newton’s short oval. Peterson, an engineering graduate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, gained valuable experience as an Xfinity Series engineer with JR Motorsports, where he contributed to one top-five and three top-10 finishes. In 2014, he helped Chase Elliott to a strong fourth-place run, setting a precedent for attention to detail and tactical planning that he brings to the Cup level.
Carson Hocevar: Ready to Progress in the No. 77 Entry
Carson Hocevar continues to show consistent growth as he suits up for his second NASCAR Cup Series start at Iowa in the No. 77 MINER Chevrolet ZL1. Hocevar notched a 14th-place finish at Iowa last year and has proven adept on short tracks with 11 Cup starts at sub-one-mile venues. His best short track showing, eighth at Richmond Raceway in August 2024, echoes his adaptability, especially considering Rusty Wallace’s influence on the Iowa Speedway layout.
The Michigan-born competitor also made an impact in the ARCA Menards Series, turning a seventh-place start into a fourth-place finish at Iowa in 2019. He enters this weekend riding the momentum of a tenth-place finish in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis, marking both a personal and team best for Spire Motorsports on the historic 2.5-mile course. This result stands as his fifth top-10 for the current season, highlighting the No. 77 team’s upward trajectory.
MINER, a division of OnPoint Group, continues its partnership as primary sponsor for the third time this year, providing stability and technical know-how to support Hocevar’s campaign. The company’s coast-to-coast operations in loading docks and commercial doors reflect a shared drive for performance and reliability, valuable qualities for the No. 77 team facing Iowa’s demanding conditions.
I feel pretty good about it. We finished well there last year, and for the most part, we’ve been able to improve on those good finishes when we go back places. Iowa is a really fun track and the fans are always so excited when we come to town. It’s a great atmosphere that matches the racing on track.
—Carson Hocevar, Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1
Crew Chief Luke Lambert’s Experience Lends an Edge
On the pit wall for Hocevar will be Luke Lambert, making his second Cup Series call at Iowa. With 68 short track races in his 13-year Cup career, Lambert’s teams have finished in the top five four times and the top 10 on 18 occasions. His experience in the Xfinity Series at Iowa includes a pole and runner-up placing with Elliott Sadler in May 2012, followed by another pole and a race win later that August. Lambert’s proven short track strategies may help the No. 77 squad unlock their full potential this weekend.
The Road Ahead for Spire Motorsports at Iowa
Spire Motorsports approaches the Iowa Corn 350 with a sense of cautious optimism. Justin Haley’s steady improvement, Michael McDowell’s veteran insight, and Carson Hocevar’s adaptability position the team as real contenders to surpass past efforts at this pivotal point in the season. The technical input from crew chiefs Ryan Sparks, Travis Peterson, and Luke Lambert brings a dynamic leadership blend, while sponsors Gainbridge, Delaware Life, Miner, and Bell Salvage provide essential support and resources.
The convergence of fresh momentum, track experience, and off-track preparations could lead to new milestones for Spire at Iowa Speedway. A strong outing would boost both driver and manufacturer points, enhance the team’s reputation, and build further excitement within the NASCAR Cup Series as the season heads toward its conclusion. All eyes will be on Newton, Iowa, as Spire’s trio of drivers aim to make their mark in the 2025 edition of the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol.
