Daniel Suarez is set to compete for Spire Motorsports in the Cup Series beginning next season, with the news revealed on Wednesday. This development comes as Spire Motorsports aims to further its progress in the Spire Motorsports Cup Series, bolstered by Suarez stepping into the No. 7 car.
Suarez will take the reins from Justin Haley, who is scheduled to depart the team at the end of the current season. The transition marks a significant move for Suarez, whose arrival also brings Freeway Insurance on board as the anchor partner—a partnership that will prominently feature starting at the 2026 Daytona 500.
Leadership’s View of Suarez’s Selection
During the official announcement, Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire Motorsports, emphasized Suarez’s credentials and fit for the team.
“I think his resume, obviously, speaks for itself,”
said Jeff Dickerson, Co-Owner.
Dickerson highlighted the mutual need between Suarez and the team, referencing their shared desire to challenge skepticism and foster renewed success.
“Daniel needs to show everybody that this year was an outlier, and we want to show everybody that the 7 car’s performance this year was an outlier as well,”
Jeff Dickerson, Co-Owner said.
Career Shift for Daniel Suarez Amid Changing Opportunities
This new chapter comes at a pivotal time for Suarez, who, at 33 years old, found himself seeking a new seat after Trackhouse Racing selected young driver Connor Zilisch to replace him starting next season. Suarez played a foundational role at Trackhouse Racing, joining as its first driver in 2021. His tenure was marked by two landmark Cup victories and a career-best 10th-place season finish in 2022.
Reviewing Performance: Suarez and Spire Motorsports
This season, Suarez currently occupies 28th in the Cup Series points standings as he heads into this Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway. To date, his results include two top-five and seven top-10 finishes, reflecting both challenges and competitive highlights this year. Meanwhile, Spire Motorsports has managed three Cup cars in 2024—fielding entries for Michael McDowell (21st in points), Carson Hocevar (23rd), and the outgoing Haley (31st).
Since beginning its full-time Cup efforts in 2019, Spire Motorsports has reached several organizational milestones this season, boasting three pole positions, six top-five finishes, 16 finishes inside the top ten, and 233 laps led—each a new benchmark for the team.
Suarez’s Perspective on Team Growth and Future Prospects
Reflecting on his decision, Suarez expressed enthusiasm about joining Spire Motorsports during the team announcement.
“If you look at the last three years at how Spire Motorsports has grown, I mentioned this to Jeff,”
said Daniel Suarez, Driver.
“Three years ago, I probably wasn’t looking at Spire Motorsports as an option. Right now, I believe this is the fastest growing team in NASCAR, and I want to be part of that. I know they’re not even close to be done. They’re just getting started,”
Daniel Suarez, Driver said.
The addition of Suarez, supported by Freeway Insurance and aligning with ongoing improvements in the organization’s performance, positions Spire Motorsports as a notable contender heading into the 2026 Cup Series season. With significant changes on the horizon and established sponsors backing the initiative, the team and its leadership are striving to reshape both their competitive outlook and narrative within the broader NASCAR landscape.
