Spire Motorsports announced that Matt McCall will assume the role of competition director for its three NASCAR Cup Series teams starting in 2026, strengthening the leadership of the organization in Mooresville, North Carolina. The appointment of McCall, a move that involves a key figure from RFK Racing, comes amid recent speculation about changes within the NASCAR competitive landscape and ongoing developments at Joe Gibbs Racing.
Matt McCall Promoted to Key Leadership Role
Matt McCall, after serving as director of vehicle performance for Spire Motorsports in 2025, will step up to oversee competition for the organization’s Cup Series teams. Previously, he worked as Brad Keselowski’s crew chief at RFK Racing, bringing extensive expertise to his new position. This appointment clarifies leadership plans after rumors suggested Chris Gabehart, recently linked to an exit from Joe Gibbs Racing, might join Spire; however, McCall will be taking the helm instead.
Crew Chief Assignments and Team Structure for 2026
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Spire confirmed the return of its team in 2026. Brian Pattie will continue as crew chief for the No. 7 team, while Chad Walter will lead the No. 77 team. Kevin “Bono” Manion resumes duties as competition director in the Truck Series.
Within the NASCAR Cup Series lineup, Ryan Sparks shifts focus to exclusively serve as crew chief for the No. 7 team, partnered with new driver Daniel Suarez for the 2026 season. Sparks, who initially joined Spire’s No. 7 team in 2021 alongside Corey LaJoie, has worked with Justin Haley and returned after Rodney Childers’ departure in early 2025, bringing continuity to the driver-crew chief alliance.
The other Spire Cup Series teams will maintain their current leadership for the upcoming season. Travis Peterson will continue as crew chief for Michael McDowell with the No. 71 team into a second year, following McDowell’s move from Front Row Motorsports. Meanwhile, Luke Lambert and Carson Hocevar rejoin forces at the No. 77 team for a third consecutive season, extending a productive working relationship.
Backgrounds and Recent Successes in the Cup Series
Travis Peterson made the transition from RFK Racing to Front Row Motorsports in 2023 to work with McDowell. Their performance prompted McDowell to retain Peterson as his crew chief after his shift to Spire Motorsports in 2025, a decision driven by their previous accomplishments together.
Luke Lambert offers deep experience as a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief, having spent years at Richard Childress Racing with drivers such as Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, and Daniel Hemric. He also led teams at RFK Racing, working with Chris Buescher and Newman, before returning to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2022 with Noah Gragson. Following a challenging 2023 season for Lambert and Gragson at Legacy Motor Club, Carson Hocevar stepped in to collaborate with Lambert, resulting in a successful pairing at Spire Motorsports.
Throughout the 2023 and subsequent seasons, Hocevar and Lambert nearly secured wins at significant events such as the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, along with competitive performances at Nashville Superspeedway and Michigan, signaling a strong potential for continued growth.
What the Changes Mean for Spire Motorsports
These leadership and crew chief assignments at Spire Motorsports aim to foster consistency and high performance for both current and incoming drivers. By placing experienced figures like Matt McCall, Ryan Sparks, Travis Peterson, and Luke Lambert in pivotal roles, the organization is reinforcing its pursuit of success in the highly competitive environment of the NASCAR Cup Series. The upcoming seasons will reveal how these adjustments impact Spire’s position within the series and influence the trajectories of its drivers and teams.
