Spire Motorsports has announced its 2026 leadership team, relying on established staff as it prepares for the new NASCAR season, including its full-time comeback to the Craftsman Truck Series. The official Spire Motorsports 2026 crew chiefs roster retains experienced figures, emphasizing internal stability for both its Cup Series and Truck Series campaigns.
Cup Series Crew Chiefs and Leadership Appointments
The team has promoted Matt McCall to the role of Cup Series Competition Director, following his previous position as Director of Vehicle Performance. McCall, who began with Spire Motorsports at the start of the 2025 season and boasts a background as a Cup Series race-winning crew chief, offers continuity as the organization implements its revised structure. The move to promote from within forms part of a larger shift at Spire, which also coincides with the organization’s return to full-time participation in the Truck Series.
For the No. 7 Chevrolet entry, Ryan Sparks will lead as crew chief, working with driver Daniel Suárez. In 2025, Sparks divided his time between overseeing competition and crew chief responsibilities. According to Joseph Srigley of Racing America, Sparks will now
“focus on being the shot-caller of the No. 7 in 2026, driven by Daniel Suarez.”
Sparks steps in for Rodney Childers, who exited Spire following the 2025 season after serving in a high-profile and successful capacity.
Travis Peterson will stay on as crew chief for Michael McDowell in the No. 71 Chevrolet. He and McDowell joined Spire at the beginning of the 2025 season, and their initial year working together saw a run of consistent top-five and top-10 finishes in Cup Series competition, building a foundation for further progress in 2026.
Luke Lambert remains in his position as crew chief for Carson Hocevar, guiding the No. 77 Chevrolet. Lambert came to Spire with Hocevar in 2024 and will continue their partnership, seeking to capitalize on previous experience as they pursue stronger results in the upcoming season.
Return to the Truck Series and Key Staff Assignments
Spire Motorsports will once again field full-time entries in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with the No. 7 and No. 77 trucks. This marks a significant organizational move, as the team had reduced its Truck Series operations to focus primarily on Cup racing in prior years. The simultaneous announcement of Cup Series appointments and Truck Series expansion underscores the newly unified direction Spire aims to take, as reported by Kevin Rutherford of Frontstretch.
For 2026, Kevin “Bono” Manion will serve as Truck Series Competition Director, leveraging his previous experience as the crew chief for Spire’s No. 71 truck and his championship-winning record to help shape the team’s performance and strategies.
The No. 7 truck will be led by Brian Pattie as crew chief, while Chad Walter continues in his established role as crew chief for the No. 77 truck. These assignments further highlight Spire’s focus on continuity, relying on proven expertise within the organization for key leadership positions.
Reflections on the Previous Season and the Path Ahead
During the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, Spire Motorsports competed with three full-time teams—Nos. 7, 71, and 77 Chevrolets. Although the team did not achieve a race win and closed the year outside the top bracket in the final standings, the crew chief reshuffling indicates a belief that established relationships and leadership can produce improved outcomes.
Many of the new titles reflect a reallocation of duties among existing personnel, with no outside hires arriving for major crew chief or management positions. As Joseph Srigley of Racing America noted, the updated crew chief lineup signals ongoing trust in familiar hands, with Spire aiming to benefit from the collective knowledge of long-serving staff.
Announcements for both Cup and Truck leadership were released simultaneously, linking the two programs and emphasizing a coordinated approach for 2026. With the new structure in place and the Spire Motorsports 2026 crew chiefs identified, the organization is expected to provide further news as the NASCAR offseason progresses and preparations for the opening race intensify.
These guys will lead the charge in 2026. pic.twitter.com/j34U579Wos
— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) December 12, 2025
