Spire Motorsports Xfinity 500 campaign is bringing new energy and awareness to the NASCAR Cup Series as the team readies for the penultimate race of the season at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, October 26, 2025. With drivers Justin Haley, Michael McDowell, and Carson Hocevar each piloting their Chevrolet ZL1 cars, Spire blends on-track ambition with off-track initiatives, all while honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month through special paint schemes and charitable programs.
Spire Motorsports Sets Stage for Xfinity 500 at Martinsville
Currently fielding three entries – the Nos. 7, 71, and 77 Chevrolets – Spire Motorsports has raced at Martinsville Speedway 25 times in NASCAR Cup Series competition. The team’s standout performance came in March, when Michael McDowell finished 12th at the iconic half-mile paperclip-shaped circuit. Each car, driven by Justin Haley, Michael McDowell, and Carson Hocevar respectively, has its own story and momentum heading into the Xfinity 500.
Throughout October, the Mooresville, N.C.-based team is switching their distinct ‘Ascent Yellow’ cars for ‘Breast Cancer Pink’ livery, shining a spotlight on the resilience of those affected by breast cancer. Fans can support the initiative by purchasing limited edition “Spire Goes Pink” merchandise either online or at Spire’s race shop at 351 Mazeppa Road, Mooresville, N.C. All proceeds benefit breast cancer research organizations. Furthermore, Spire Motorsports is sharing personal stories from employees, friends, and family members affected by breast cancer across its social media channels throughout the month, reinforcing their commitment to advocacy and awareness beyond the racetrack.
The Xfinity 500, the highly anticipated next round of the NASCAR Cup Series, will be broadcast live on NBC at 2 p.m. EDT, with additional coverage on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90. The high stakes nature of Martinsville cannot be overstated, as the race represents the second-to-last event in the 2025 calendar, with championship hopes and the field’s intensity at an annual peak.
Justin Haley Brings Tenacity and Experience to the No. 7 Entry
Justin Haley will be at the wheel of the No. 7 NationsGuard Chevrolet ZL1. Now making his 178th Cup Series start, Haley brings impressive experience to the track. Martinsville has proven to be a tough venue for him, with his best finish in the Cup Series being 27th place in October 2022. However, in Xfinity Series action, he has managed one top-10 and one top-15 finish in three starts, and in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, he boasts two top 10s, including a sixth-place finish at Martinsville in 2018.
NationsGuard, backing Haley this weekend, is known for innovative approaches to maximizing automotive dealership performance, focusing on metrics like vehicle inspection efficiency and service advisor performance. As a partner, NationsGuard supports continuous improvement and measurable outcomes for their clients.
Recently at Talladega, Haley showed early speed, advancing his No. 7 Gainbridge Assists Chevrolet before being collected in a Lap 52 crash that ended his day and resulted in a 39th-place finish. Despite this, he has accumulated a Cup Series career total of one win, six top-fives, 18 top-10s, and 123 laps led across seven seasons, marking him as a persistent presence on the circuit since his series debut with Spire Motorsports at Talladega in 2019.
“Martinsville is always a challenge. The No. 7 guys have been working hard to improve our performance there, and I appreciate the effort they put in all year. I want to thank NationsGuard for their continued support and I hope we can put together a strong run this weekend.”
– Justin Haley, Driver
Overseeing Haley’s effort is Ryan Sparks, the crew chief and Spire Motorsports’ Competition Director. Sparks, who hails from Winston-Salem, N.C., brings significant expertise, having led pit boxes for 200 NASCAR Cup Series races and calling nine Cup events at Martinsville, where he achieved an 18th-place best finish in June 2020 with Corey LaJoie and has accumulated 14 laps led at the venue.
Michael McDowell’s Milestone Journey Continues at Martinsville
Michael McDowell, driver of the No. 71 Gainbridge/Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) Chevrolet ZL1, has a deep connection to Martinsville Speedway. He made his first NASCAR Cup Series start at the chilly, snowy venue in March of 2008 with Michael Waltrip Racing and returned this season to claim a 12th-place finish, his best at the famed Virginia track. McDowell, whose resume includes a debut Truck Series run at Martinsville in 2007, continues to build an enduring and decorated career.
As the 2021 Daytona 500 Champion, McDowell is having a strong run this season with three top-fives, five top-10s, 14 top-15s, and 21 top-20s. With an average starting position of 15.2, an 18.3 average finish, and 91 laps led, consistency and competitiveness have defined his tenure. Last week at Talladega, his team delivered a 16th-place result after securing their third Busch Light Pole Award of the year, adding to team highlights such as a blistering 28.833-second lap at Las Vegas and a top honor in the Mechanix Wear Pit Crew Challenge during the NASCAR All-Star Weekend at North Wilkesboro.
Gainbridge, the lead sponsor of McDowell’s entry, is an insurtech company under Group 1001, empowering consumers toward financial stability through accessible and technology-driven products. WIMNA, meanwhile, focuses on expanding opportunities for women in motorsports, fostering mentorship, advocacy, and an inclusive community across the racing landscape.
“My first start, I remember it was cold. It started snowing. I thought that I was just cold and that’s why I was shaking. I told myself that it wasn’t because of nerves. Then my last fall Martinsville start was my 500th cup start, so, it was fun to be my first and 500th start. Mostly because my career’s been fairly tough, you know. It’s hard to stay in a seat and it’s so hard to stay in this sport. So, when I made my 500th start, I felt like that was a really big accomplishment, because in the beginning, it didn’t feel like I would get to 100, let alone 500.”
– Michael McDowell, Driver
Crew chief Travis Peterson, newly joined from Front Row Motorsports, leads McDowell’s No. 71 team. Peterson, a native of West Bend, WI, is celebrated for his tenure as a race engineer for Dale Earnhardt Junior’s strong fourth-place Martinsville finish in 2015 with Hendrick Motorsports, adding depth to Spire’s technical roster.
Carson Hocevar Chases Short Track Success in the No. 77
Carson Hocevar, at just 22 years old, will drive the No. 77 Modo Casino Chevrolet ZL1 in his fifth Martinsville Speedway start during the Xfinity 500. Hocevar’s best Cup Series result on the short track is 17th, achieved in April. Proving himself as a quick study on short tracks, Hocevar recently earned a sixth-place finish at Talladega and maintains nine top-10 finishes in his rookie campaign, including a seventh at Bristol. He also notched a Truck Series win at Richmond Raceway, reflecting his growing proficiency at Virginia tracks.
Modo Casino, the primary sponsor for Hocevar, brings a fresh look to the No. 77 entry and offers fans an engaging, free-to-play social gaming experience, featuring popular casino games and prizes. The company, noted for following best practices in consumer protection and digital gaming, has been a visible partner across multiple race weekends for Spire Motorsports and will again at Martinsville.
The competitive field and the unique track surface transitions at Martinsville are not lost on Hocevar, who is eager to continue his team’s improvement trajectory to cap off the season.
“I think we will see a lot of what we saw in the spring, but turned up another notch. It is 100 laps longer, meaning 100 more laps for you to manage your temper as guys are running into you. Since it is the Championship 4 cut, you have six guys who are going to do everything possible to transfer, alongside 30 other guys who want to get a win as the season winds down. The race will be unpredictable, and no spot on the track is safe, front or back of the field, pit road, or the tricky asphalt-to-concrete transitions into the turn. We just have to run our race and focus on our strategy. We’ve improved on every track type this year, so there’s no reason we can’t survive the Martinsville chaos and finish the season out strong.”
– Carson Hocevar, Driver
A Team Effort on and off the Track
Spire Motorsports’ Xfinity 500 initiative is about more than just racing—it is a convergence of competitive ambition, community investment, and advocacy. The drivers are backed by seasoned crew chiefs like Ryan Sparks and Travis Peterson, while the organization as a whole supports major causes such as breast cancer awareness, collaborating with sponsors like NationsGuard, Gainbridge, WIMNA, and Modo Casino.
Personal stories from team employees, friends, and family members impacted by cancer are being shared, reinforcing Spire’s role not only as a race team, but as a source of hope and solidarity within the motorsports community.
What to Watch at the Xfinity 500
As the championship battle intensifies, fans and industry professionals alike look to Spire Motorsports’ evolving story at Martinsville. Each driver brings a different experience and goal to the table: Justin Haley aims for his best Cup result at the track, Michael McDowell celebrates career milestones and consistent competitive form, while Carson Hocevar pursues rookie-of-the-year honors and crucial short track learning.
The Xfinity 500 is set to be a fierce battle, with the pressure of the Championship 4 cut line heightening every lap and pit stop. On and off the track, Spire Motorsports’ blend of race strategy, charitable action, and technological innovation demonstrates their rising presence in the NASCAR world and their capacity to drive positive change. All eyes will be on the team as they take on Martinsville, united by the pursuit of victory and a commitment to meaningful causes.
