Spire Motorsports delivered a passionate and energetic showing at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday as Michael McDowell claimed a top-10 finish for the second consecutive race, while Daniel Suárez and Carson Hocevar faced significant challenges. The Spire Motorsports race report highlights strategic moves, setbacks, and the unwavering spirit that defined their weekend at the storied Arizona track.
Daniel Suárez Fights Early Setbacks to Secure Stage Points
Daniel Suárez, piloting the No. 7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, began his Phoenix run with momentum by earning a seventh-place finish in Stage 1—the result of a venue-best fourth-place starting spot in his 17th NASCAR Cup Series appearance at Phoenix Raceway. Those opening laps saw Suárez maintain a top-10 presence, rewarding him with critical stage points. However, the race soon shifted when a run-in with another competitor on Lap 104 sent Suárez into the wall, causing heavy front-end damage that necessitated several pit stops for repairs and adjustments.
The team’s efforts saw Suárez rejoin near the back of the field after repairs to the splitter and right-rear of the car. By the close of Stage 2, Suárez had clawed back toward the top 20, but his fortune continued to waver. A scheduled pit stop for further tweaks and a close call on Lap 247 didn’t deter the veteran, but an eight-car wreck shortly after forced an early end to his day. Suárez finished 30th, dropping to 17th in the driver championship standings despite showing competitive speed during the race’s early going.
“We had a very fast Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Camaro on Saturday. At the start of the race, the balance wasn’t quite what I wanted, and when we lost a bit of track position it became challenging. The car got a little loose as we ran which put us in a slightly compromised situation. Overall, though, I feel good about my No. 7 team. The car showed a lot of speed. There are a few things to clean up on the execution side, including my own performance, but we’ll be ready for next week at Las Vegas.”
– Daniel Suárez, Driver
Michael McDowell Rallies for Back-to-Back Top 10s at Home Track
Michael McDowell, at the wheel of the No. 71 Delaware Life Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, delivered an energized and resilient performance in front of his home state fans. Starting 16th, McDowell and the Travis Peterson-led crew quickly leveraged a swift pit stop to climb into 11th as Stage 2 began. The team’s strategy and speedy execution consistently moved McDowell through the pack, despite complications from a right front tire puncture caused by debris after Lap 159. The incident forced an untimely pit stop while pit road was closed, pushing McDowell to the rear with limited laps remaining in Stage 2.
Crossing the line 29th as Stage 2 concluded, McDowell’s team managed essential repairs during the break, keeping the No. 71 on the lead lap. A key decision for a two-tire stop under caution at Lap 211 catapulted the Delaware Life Chevy into the top 20, while subsequent restarts saw McDowell steadily gain ground. With 20 laps to go, a strategic pit stop put him side-by-side with teammate Carson Hocevar for the final green flag. Despite traffic and an encounter with Kyle Larson that cost several spots, McDowell battled back to secure a crucial ninth-place finish—his second straight top-10 this season and the first time he has accomplished this feat since joining Spire Motorsports for 2025.
“It was a good rally for this No. 71 Delaware Life Chevrolet team. We had that right-front tire go down when we were running eighth or ninth just before the end of Stage 2. That put us in the back, and once we were in the back, we just really struggled. But Travis Peterson (crew chief) and everyone on this No. 71 team made some big adjustments, which helped us get through traffic. That last restart didn’t go great. The No. 5 (Kyle Larson) kind of got loose and slid up into my lane, and unfortunately, we lost a few spots there. But overall, we rallied back to a top 10. It was a solid day. We’ll keep building momentum. I thought we were going to have a shot at the top-five there for a few laps, but it just kind of slipped away there at the end.”
– Michael McDowell, Driver
Carson Hocevar Battles Back After Penalty for Solid Run
Carson Hocevar’s race in the No. 77 MINER Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was intense from the beginning. Having qualified a strong seventh, the Portage, Michigan native was set back by an unapproved adjustment penalty after the team found a faulty alternator during final checks. This forced Hocevar to start from the rear of the field. Despite the setback, he showed immediate pace, moving into 24th before the end of Stage 1.
Hocevar’s recovery continued with rapid pit work that placed him 14th early in Stage 2, followed by a surge back into the top 10. He remained a fixture near the front through a series of mid-race cautions, finishing the second stage in seventh and earning valuable points to keep his streak of stage points alive—an achievement matched by only one other driver so far this season. In the final segment, Hocevar’s car struggled with handling issues following a series of right-side tire changes. Even with a couple of late-race restarts, Hocevar couldn’t regain his earlier momentum and slipped back to a 20th-place finish.
“Didn’t get the finish we deserved today. The No. 77 guys did a good job this morning finding the issue with the alternator and getting it swapped out before the race. We started in the back, but our MINER Camaro drove right into the top 10. We just lost the handle there at the end and didn’t get the finish we should have. Proud of the effort, and excited to get to Las Vegas next week. This team really excels at the 1.5-mile tracks, and we expect to compete up front.”
– Carson Hocevar, Driver
Recent Team Achievements Highlight Growth and Ambition
Spire Motorsports, co-owned by Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss, has steadily grown its presence and impact across multiple NASCAR series since its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in 2019, where Justin Haley captured the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. William Byron added a Truck Series win for the team in 2022 at Martinsville Speedway. Most recently, Kyle Busch secured victory for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February 2026.
For the 2026 season, Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71, and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the Cup Series and operates Truck Series and sprint car programs as well. The organization, based in Mooresville, N.C., continues to build a formidable lineup and competitive environment for drivers such as Michael McDowell, Daniel Suárez, and Carson Hocevar.
Looking Forward to Las Vegas and Beyond
Next, Spire Motorsports turns its focus to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where the fifth points-paying event of the Cup Series season—the Pennzoil 400—will unfold on Sunday, March 15. The team aims to harness its Phoenix momentum, especially with McDowell’s back-to-back top 10s and the signs of speed across all three entries. The race will air live on FS1 at 4 p.m. EDT, with additional coverage provided by the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
With the continued efforts of team leaders like crew chief Travis Peterson and the dedication of the drivers and pit crews, Spire Motorsports looks to make further strides up the championship ladder. As the season progresses, each race presents new opportunities for hard-fought results and confident comebacks, building on the foundation of determination shown in Phoenix.
