Spire Motorsports has revealed plans to form a full-time Spire Motorsports dirt racing team, expanding its racing footprint beyond its current NASCAR presence. This new effort will debut in 2026 with a dedicated 410 winged sprint car campaign, marking Spire’s entry into the Kubota High Limit Racing series while reinforcing the organization’s deep roots in dirt track competition.
Key Driver and Crew Lineup for the New Sprint Car Team
The team has announced Giovanni “Gio” Scelzi as the driver for the new endeavor. Scelzi, known for being the 2023 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year, boasts 12 wins in national sprint car competition. His most recent season saw him transition from KCP Racing to Clauson Marshall Racing, filling in for the injured Tyler Courtney and building his reputation as a strong competitor at the national level. Eric Prutzman, a notable crew chief who previously guided Brad Sweet to six national championships, will be leading the technical side for Spire’s dirt effort, indicating the team’s intent to be highly competitive from the start.
Notable Acquisitions and Strategic Moves Ahead of 2026
In preparation for its dirt racing debut, Spire Motorsports secured a High Roller Club membership—equivalent to a charter in the NASCAR system—which they purchased from Jason Myers Racing. This charter will allow Spire persistent, guaranteed entry to High Limit Sprint Cars events, mirroring the structure that has brought stability and growth to the NASCAR team scene. The charter system is a recent introduction to the High Limit Sprint Cars series, aiming to give teams longer-term security and investment incentive.
Scelzi’s Anticipation for the Season and the Team’s Passion for Dirt Racing
In addition to the full sprint car schedule, Gio Scelzi is set to compete in the 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa. This entry is a collaboration between Spire Motorsports and Chili’s, with famed midget car builder Keith Kunz preparing the car. Scelzi expressed excitement about the chance to race for such a strong team in one of midget racing’s most prestigious events, further highlighting Spire’s commitment to top-level dirt competition and partnership with established racing talents.
Insider Perspectives on the Journey to the High Limit Series
“Going on the road with High Limit is like a dream come true and to do this with people I have deep respect and appreciation for makes it even better,”
said Spire Motorsports Co-Owner Jeff Dickerson in the team release.
“We’ve worked with and for Kyle (Larson), Brad (Sweet), Kendra (Jacobs) and JP (Josh Peterman) for years and I have an immense amount of gratitude to them for not only building a great series but for making a series that offers long-term growth to all of us in a sport we all love.”
– Jeff Dickerson, Co-Owner
“I’m thankful to Tim Clauson and the Marshalls for providing us a launch pad to make this jump and look forward to working closely this season.”
– Jeff Dickerson, Co-Owner
He added,
“We are not a NASCAR team that is going dirt racing. We are dirt racers who happen to have a NASCAR team. This is in our blood and we can’t wait to get to Vegas in March.”
– Jeff Dickerson, Co-Owner
“To see the enthusiasm from the employees at Spire Motorsports, that’s really something that made an impact on me,”
said Scelzi.
“The NASCAR stuff is their job but it’s pretty obvious they enjoy sprint car racing. We’ll likely run 80 to 90 times a year at probably 50 different race tracks, but when you have an owner like Jeff (Dickerson) who truly loves sprint car racing and comes from that background, it really makes this an exciting opportunity.”
– Gio Scelzi, Driver
“I’ve known Eric (Prutzman) for a long time. When I was probably 10- or 12-years-old, when Donny Schatz was driving for Tony Stewart Racing, those guys would work out of my dad’s shop during that three-week West Coast swing and Eric was the tire guy at the time, so we became friends and stayed in touch.”
– Gio Scelzi, Driver
“I’ve watched Eric’s career and he’s had amazing success. The guys who run up front all have really good equipment so, now more than ever, it’s the people. Having someone as accomplished as Eric is just as important as the equipment.”
– Gio Scelzi, Driver
“I’m thrilled to race the Chili Bowl, again. I’ve run it three times in the past. I ran for Clauson Marshall Racing my first time and made the show.”
– Gio Scelzi, Driver
“The two years after that, I was there with Chad Boat Racing. To race a car prepared by Keith Kunz at the Chili Bowl is a dream come true. They’ve won prelim after prelim and Saturday after Saturday. The Chili Bowl is an event where being lucky is just as important as having a fast race car and putting yourself in position to win a race.”
– Gio Scelzi, Driver
“I’m really looking forward to getting back there. I’m really grateful to Jeff, Keith and the whole team at Chili’s for the opportunity.”
– Gio Scelzi, Driver
Significance and Outlook for Spire Motorsports in Dirt Racing
With its official move to form a Spire Motorsports dirt racing team and bold steps such as acquiring a sprint car charter and recruiting experienced talent like Gio Scelzi and Eric Prutzman, Spire Motorsports is set to make a major impact on the dirt racing circuit starting in 2026. This strategic expansion highlights the organization’s commitment to the sport’s growth and diversity, while industry leaders like Jeff Dickerson and Keith Kunz will ensure that tradition and competitive spirit are at the forefront. As spring 2026 approaches, anticipation is building for Spire Motorsports’ debut on dirt, further solidifying their reputation as passionate competitors within multiple racing disciplines.
