Spire Motorsports delivered a notable performance at the DuraMax Texas Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne, with Michael McDowell securing a top-five finish at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. The team’s efforts in the season’s first road course event resulted in significant points gains for McDowell and maintained solid standings for Daniel Suárez and Carson Hocevar heading into the Phoenix Raceway event.
Daniel Suárez Battles Through Setbacks for Spire
Daniel Suárez, piloting the No. 7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, faced a demanding race at COTA but managed to remain seventh in the Cup Series driver standings. Suárez began in the 23rd spot and encountered early difficulties advancing into the top 20 during the opening laps. Crew chief Ryan Sparks opted for an early pit stop before the stage break, helping Suárez gain track position by restarting Stage 2 in ninth, ahead of several competitors from the prior stage.
Despite persistent challenges with rear grip, Suárez displayed determination, breaking into the top five by Lap 24 and achieving third place before the end of Stage 2. This effort earned him eight bonus points and provided a brief momentum shift. Further adjustments during the stage break placed him at 28th for the final stage, and although he surged into the top 20, a collision during a Lap-79 restart caused right front damage and relegated the No. 7 Chevy to a 25th-place finish when the checkered flag waved.
“The day went as expected. We had a decent Freeway Insurance Chevrolet for the short runs, but during the middle and long runs, it was tough, the car just wanted to stroll. It was difficult to get the tires to perform. Both the front and rear were struggling. We definitely have a bit of work to do to improve our road course package, but I’m looking forward to heading to Phoenix now.”
— Daniel Suárez, Driver
Michael McDowell Rallies for Season-Best Result
Michael McDowell, at the wheel of the No. 71 Katz Coffee Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, showcased Spire Motorsports’ race strategy and resilience. With a strong showing in Saturday practice, McDowell earned a sixth-place starting position and went on to record his best personal finish at COTA, taking fifth place by race end. He earned valuable points early by finishing Stage 1 in third, thanks to strategic calls from crew chief Travis Peterson.
The team’s decision to perform a full-service pit stop at the first stage break meant McDowell restarted further back in 20th, but he quickly rejoined the top 10 after just nine laps. A second calculated pit stop placed him seventh for the race’s closing segment. By Lap 71, McDowell had taken the lead and managed the pace until an untimely caution on Lap 76 forced a pit stop, dropping him to 15th. Utilizing the freshest tires, he worked his way back through the pack to secure a solid fifth-place at the finish, earning his first top-five of 2026.
“Overall, the No. 71 Katz Coffee Chevrolet was good. We didn’t need that last caution. We were running long there and I don’t know how the math would have worked out, but I think we would have had a good shot of having better tires over everyone else at the end. So, that caution really hurt us. We restarted outside of the top 10, so to get back up into the top five is a solid day for this team. But we’re not looking for solid days, we’re looking for wins. It’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
— Michael McDowell, Driver
Carson Hocevar Endures a Difficult Outing at COTA
Carson Hocevar, driving the No. 77 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, retained his top-10 position in the driver championship despite a demanding race. The Portage, Michigan native began the event in 12th and held steady in 13th over much of the opening stint. However, as the car became difficult to handle through COTA’s complex left-handers, he slipped to 16th before ending Stage 1 in ninth, collecting useful stage points for the team.
Subsequent pit cycles ahead of Stage 2 saw Hocevar restart in 28th, but a continuing lack of grip over the following laps saw the No. 77 Chevy fall to 32nd by the end of the second segment. Despite efforts to regain balance in the final stage, Hocevar’s day was marred by a late-race incident that cost him track position, resulting in a 31st-place finish at the checkers.
“Tough way to end the day. The Chili’s Ride The ‘Dente Camaro looked super good, but we just couldn’t get the balance where I wanted it. We started off the season with speed and now we get to head to Phoenix where we were able to show that off last year. The No. 77 boys will build another strong Chevy and we’ll be back up front.”
— Carson Hocevar, Driver
Looking Ahead: Phoenix Raceway on the Horizon
Following the intense competition at COTA, Spire Motorsports will prepare for the next challenge at Phoenix Raceway. The one-mile D-shaped oval in the desert is set to host the fourth event on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar on Sunday, March 8. The 312-lap contest will be broadcast live on FS1 at 3:30 p.m. EDT, as well as on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
With McDowell’s top-five achievement and determination from both Suárez and Hocevar, Spire Motorsports enters Phoenix with momentum and resolve, hoping to build on their road course lessons as they continue their 2026 campaign.
