Spire Motorsports is preparing for a pivotal moment at the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500, aiming to capitalize on its recent successes and continue its strong run at the renowned Talladega Superspeedway. This weekend’s race, crucial for the team’s trajectory, highlights Spire Motorsports NASCAR Talladega Performance, as drivers Justin Haley, Michael McDowell, and Carson Hocevar all pursue standout results while supporting a significant cause off-track.
Track Record and Recent Progress at Talladega
Over 25 appearances at Talladega Superspeedway, Spire Motorsports has consistently demonstrated growth, earning one top-five, three top-10, and nine top-15 finishes. Corey LaJoie delivered the team’s best-ever result at Talladega, capturing a third-place finish at the 2.66-mile oval in October 2023. For the current season, the Nos. 7, 71, and 77 Chevrolet ZL1 entries will be driven by Justin Haley, Michael McDowell, and Carson Hocevar, each bringing individual experience and promise to the event.
The YellaWood 500 marks the 34th points race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series calendar and will be broadcast live on NBC and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with the green flag scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. EDT. This race not only offers Spire Motorsports another opportunity to shine but will serve as a litmus test for the team’s progress throughout the season.
Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness On and Off the Track
Throughout October, Spire Motorsports is transforming its signature Ascent Yellow livery to a vibrant Breast Cancer Pink scheme on all its cars, showing solidarity with those affected by breast cancer. This initiative coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, recognizing the resilience of individuals and families impacted by the disease and dedicating the team’s public voice to sharing stories within its community on social media over the next five weeks.
Special edition “Spire Goes Pink” merchandise is available for fans online and at the team’s Mooresville, N.C. race shop at 351 Mazeppa Road. All proceeds from these sales will directly support breast cancer research. The team aims to amplify its impact beyond the racetrack, by honoring employees, friends, and family members affected by breast cancer and contributing to ongoing research efforts.
Justin Haley’s Strategy and Path at Talladega
Justin Haley will pilot the No. 7 Gainbridge Assists Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s feature event. With 11 previous Cup Series starts at Talladega under his belt, Haley’s top finish at the venue came in October 2023, crossing the line in sixth place. His consistent performance includes leading for 13 laps and posting two top-10 results, with only four finishes outside the top 20 since his debut.
Haley’s history with Spire Motorsports at Talladega is notable, marking his Cup Series debut with the team at the Alabama superspeedway in April 2019 on his 20th birthday. Less than three months later, he garnered his and the team’s first Cup Series win at Daytona International Speedway.
In addition to his Cup Series endeavors, Haley has achieved significant milestones at Talladega in the Xfinity Series, where he won both events in the 2020 season, notching two wins, a pole, two top-five and five top-10 finishes with an outstanding 4.6 average finish. His CRAFTSMAN Truck Series experiences include a top-five finish, and he earned his first ARCA Menards Series asphalt victory at Talladega in 2017.
The recent race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway presented challenges, as Haley started 27th and finished 27th after handling issues throughout. Nevertheless, he comes into Talladega with tenacity, marking his 177th career NASCAR Cup Series start, including 76 with Spire Motorsports, across a resume which features one win, six top-five, and 18 top-10 finishes.
Haley’s entry is supported by Gainbridge®, an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001, headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. Gainbridge is dedicated to making financial resources accessible and simple, with sponsorship aligned to the Gainbridge® Assists Powered by Parity program. This initiative invested $222,000 into 32 organizations and athletes across 21 states, furthering opportunities for girls and women in sports, a legacy that honors ambassador Billie Jean King.
When asked about his superspeedway approach, Justin Haley stated,
I have just always really enjoyed superspeedway racing. I’m not sure why that is, but it has just come easier to me and fits my style of racing better. I try to be very patient in the car, wait for the right moment to make the pass and I think that’s why I tend to do better on the bigger tracks. Talladega and Daytona are really just tracks that test your patience. You want to go and be at the front but you know that anything can happen at any moment. It’s a balance of knowing what is needed to get to the front but making it to the end. The Spire cars have been really good at superspeedways this year and I think we can continue that this weekend.
– Justin Haley, Driver
The Leadership of Crew Chief Ryan Sparks
Ryan Sparks brings strategic nous as both Competition Director of Spire Motorsports and crew chief for Justin Haley’s No. 7 team. A veteran of 199 Cup Series races since starting his crew chief career, Sparks has achieved four top-five and ten top-10 finishes. At Talladega, his leadership resulted in a notable fourth-place finish with Corey LaJoie in October 2023, demonstrating his adaptability and competitive edge at superspeedways.
Michael McDowell’s Veteran Experience
Michael McDowell is set to represent Spire Motorsports in the No. 71 Carolina Handling Chevrolet ZL1 during the 500-mile challenge. McDowell’s Talladega track record features three top-five and four top-10 finishes, including third-place results in May 2021 and October 2022. Despite setbacks from late-race incidents last year, the 2021 Daytona 500 Champion has continued to deliver steady performances, adding five top-10 and three top-five finishes across 33 events so far this season.
Notably, McDowell secured two pole positions at Talladega in the previous season, leading 78 laps combined at the challenging tri-oval. He achieved a strong 11th place at April’s Jack Links 500 after qualifying 14th and leading 10 laps, complementing his season with an average starting spot of 15.6 and an 18.4 average finish. Recent weeks have seen McDowell earn an average finish of 12.3, with highlights including an eighth place at New Hampshire and a fifth at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Bank of America ROVAL 400, setting a personal best for top-five finishes in a single season as a first-year driver for the team.
Last week at Las Vegas, an early pit-road penalty pushed McDowell back, but he rebounded to finish 16th, exemplifying the resilience and skill of the veteran driver. Carolina Handling, his primary sponsor, provides leading materials handling solutions throughout the Southeastern U.S., supporting industries with forklifts, automation, and logistics expertise.
McDowell’s proficiency extends to qualifying speed, having earned the Xfinity Fastest Lap awards in the Daytona 500, Phoenix Raceway, and Talladega this season, helping position his crew as one of only three with three or more bonus points in the category. His team achieved Spire Motorsports’ inaugural Busch Light Pole Award in March at Las Vegas, posting the fastest lap in NASCAR’s seventh-generation Cup Series car at the 1.5-mile oval, and triumphed in the Mechanix Wear Pit Crew Challenge at North Wilkesboro Speedway, clocking the fastest stop among all competitors.
On the challenges of racing at Talladega, Michael McDowell said,
When it comes to playoff contenders, you do think about them at most of the races, but not Talladega. There’s just no way of actually doing that, because you can’t help what’s going to happen at Talladega. That’s actually one of the less stressful races because of that. You can’t control the big one, when it’s going to happen, or who it’s going to take. So, for us, we don’t have any pressure but to go there and try to win the race. So, it’s low pressure and low stress going into it. We’re not in a spot where we have to worry about the cutoff. We’re not in a spot where we’re worried about points. We can just go and try to run up front and win the race.
– Michael McDowell, Driver
Travis Peterson’s Engineering Acumen Leads No. 71 Team
Travis Peterson, crew chief for McDowell’s No. 71 car, brings considerable engineering expertise to the team. With roots in Wisconsin and an engineering background from his time at JR Motorsports, Peterson contributed to Regan Smith’s 2013 Talladega victory in the Xfinity Series and, later, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s Cup Series win at the same venue in 2015 while at Hendrick Motorsports. Peterson has guided McDowell to both Talladega pole awards in 2024, reinforcing the team’s qualifying strength and competitive aspirations.
Carson Hocevar Seeks Upset at Superspeedways
Carson Hocevar, at just 22 years old, will enter his fifth Cup Series start at Talladega for Spire Motorsports in the No. 77 Chevrolet ZL1. Hocevar’s last outing at this venue, a sixth place in April, marked his best Cup Series finish at the storied track. His primary car sponsorship comes from Modo Casino, known for engaging millions of players with innovative social gaming experiences and unique fan offerings.
Across five races on drafting-style tracks this season, Hocevar has delivered one top-five and three top-10 finishes, with his strongest result being a runner-up at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March. In his 12 Cup Series starts at superspeedways like Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta, he boasts one top-five, three top-10, and eight top-20 finishes. His CRAFTSMAN Truck Series record includes three Talladega starts and two top-10 finishes at Daytona, highlighting his upward trajectory on high-speed ovals.
Reflecting on his learning curve this season, Carson Hocevar expressed,
For me, I think I’ve gotten more comfortable with pushing for position during a superspeedway race. I had always been so worried about just making it to the end and staying out of trouble, and learned early this year that if I wanted a shot at a win that just wasn’t going to work. We had a good run at Talladega earlier this year and if all goes right, we should be able to knock out a top five.
– Carson Hocevar, Driver
Advancing Team Goals and Considering the Broader Competition
With a blend of talented drivers and experienced leaders like crew chiefs Ryan Sparks and Travis Peterson, Spire Motorsports is strategically positioned for a breakout performance at Talladega. The team’s on-track momentum is supported by off-track initiatives, demonstrating a strong sense of community engagement and resilience amid the high-pressure atmosphere of NASCAR’s superspeedway racing.
The partnership with organizations like Gainbridge and Carolina Handling, as well as Modo Casino, brings further resources and visibility to the team, enabling investments in competitive technology, outstanding crew performance, and community-driven programs. Recognizing the work of individuals like Ryan Sparks, Justin Haley, Michael McDowell, and Carson Hocevar—including their families, friends, and the organization’s employees—underscores Spire’s commitment to both sporting achievement and social responsibility.
Looking Ahead: Talladega’s Impact and Spire’s Aspirations
Spire Motorsports arrives at Talladega Superspeedway with collective confidence, bolstered by a season of incremental successes and a renewed focus on making the next leap forward. With veterans like Michael McDowell steering the No. 71 and promising talents Justin Haley and Carson Hocevar pushing the pace in their respective Chevrolets, the team aims to secure its most meaningful result yet at one of the sport’s most unpredictable tracks.
The team’s actions this October reflect an organization deeply invested in both competitive excellence and meaningful causes off the track, from supporting breast cancer research and awareness to empowering youth and women in sports. As the green flag drops at Talladega, Spire Motorsports will look to convert determination and preparation into tangible success on race day—potentially setting a new benchmark for Spire Motorsports NASCAR Talladega Performance and shaping the course of its future in the NASCAR Cup Series.
