Tag: Spire Motorsports

Spire Motorsports expands Connor Zilisch’s schedule in NASCAR Truck Series

Spire Motorsports announced that it has expanded Connor Zilisch’s schedule in the No. 7 truck during the 2024 NASCAR Truck Series season.

[autotag]Connor Zilisch[/autotag] made his NASCAR Truck Series debut with Spire Motorsports at Circuit of the Americas, which was very impressive. Zilisch blew out the competition for the pole position and finished in fourth place despite several mistakes throughout the day. Now, the 17-year-old driver will have more opportunities in the No. 7 truck.

[autotag]Spire Motorsports[/autotag] announced on Thursday morning that Zilisch’s schedule in the No. 7 truck has expanded for five more races in 2024. Zilisch will drive the entry at Richmond Raceway on August 10, Bristol Motor Speedway on September 19, Talladega Superspeedway on October 4, Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 26, and Martinsville Speedway on November 1.

Zilisch is considered one of NASCAR’s best talents after signing with Trackhouse Racing during the offseason. Due to Spire Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing’s relationship, seeing this become a full-time gig in 2025 wouldn’t be surprising. For now, Zilisch will have to wait for his oval debut in NASCAR, but it will be well worth it come August.

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LaJoie paces Cup Series practice at Martinsville

Corey LaJoie was fastest overall in Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series practice at Martinsville Speedway with a lap of 94.585mph (20.020s). The Spire Motorsports driver laid down his best time on his third lap of practice and ran a total of 44 laps. Bubba …

Corey LaJoie was fastest overall in Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series practice at Martinsville Speedway with a lap of 94.585mph (20.020s). The Spire Motorsports driver laid down his best time on his third lap of practice and ran a total of 44 laps.

Bubba Wallace was second fastest at 94.383mph and Ryan Preece was third at 94.265mph. Alex Bowman was fourth at 94.195mph and Martin Truex Jr. was fifth at 94.181mph.

William Byron ran sixth fastest at 94.092mph, Todd Gilliland was seventh at 94.017mph, Austin Cindric, eighth at 94.008mph, Ryan Blaney, ninth at 93.994mph and Christopher Bell, 10th at 93.980mph.

Blaney is the most recent winner at Martinsville. A triumph in the fall race propelled him into the title race where he claimed his first championship.

Kyle Larson, the defending spring race winner, was 16th fastest. Larson’s lap was 93.738mph.

A week removed from his second victory of the season, Denny Hamlin was 18th fastest. Hamlin ran 93.706mph.

Austin Dillon was 20th fastest at 93.636mph. Dillon enters Martinsville with Justin Alexander once again his crew chief after Alexander replaced Keith Rodden earlier this week.

There were no incidents in practice.

There are 37 drivers entered in the Cook Out 400. In addition to the 36 charter teams, David Starr is entered in the No. 66 for MBM Motorsports.

RESULTS

Sammy Smith to run select races for Spire Motorsports in NASCAR Truck Series

Spire Motorsports announced on Wednesday morning that Sammy Smith will run select races in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2024.

[autotag]Spire Motorsports[/autotag]’ hot start to the 2024 NASCAR Truck Series season got even better on Wednesday morning. The NASCAR organization announced that [autotag]Sammy Smith[/autotag] will drive the No. 7 truck in select races during the 2024 Truck Series season. Smith is currently in his first full-time season with JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The 19-year-old driver will debut with Spire Motorsports at Martinsville Speedway next weekend. Smith will also compete at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 18, Lucas Oil Raceway on July 19, and the Milwaukee Mile on August 25. This comes after Kyle Busch brought the No. 7 truck to victory lane at Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier in the year.

Spire Motorsports is filling out its No. 7 entry well. Busch, Smith, and Connor Zilisch are notable drivers in the truck during the 2024 NASCAR season. With immense talent behind the wheel, the No. 7 truck is not done winning races this season. Smith should have an excellent opportunity to win as he remains one of the Xfinity Series’ best short-track talents.

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Video: Corey LaJoie is aiming for Cup playoffs in 2024

Spire Motorsports in 2024 is a ‘totally different team’ to Corey LaJoie. The organization has moved into a brand-new race shop after purchasing the assets of Kyle Busch Motorsports, has increased support from partners, added engineering, and much …

Spire Motorsports in 2024 is a ‘totally different team’ to Corey LaJoie. The organization has moved into a brand-new race shop after purchasing the assets of Kyle Busch Motorsports, has increased support from partners, added engineering, and much more.

LaJoie met with the media Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway and said it’s almost as if they are now a legitimate race team. As such, the expectations for LaJoie and his No. 7 team have changed from just wanting to race to now racing with intention.

Hear more LaJoie below:

Busch cruises to Truck Series win at Atlanta after Enfinger falters

When Kyle Busch sold his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team to Spire Motorsports, he didn’t surrender his prowess behind the wheel. Driving the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet in his first start of 2024, Busch inherited the lead from Grant …

When Kyle Busch sold his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team to Spire Motorsports, he didn’t surrender his prowess behind the wheel.

Driving the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet in his first start of 2024, Busch inherited the lead from Grant Enfinger on lap 129 of 135 and held off Ty Majeski and Corey Heim over the final five laps to win his seventh race at Atlanta Motor Speedway and the 65th of his career, extending his own series record.

Enfinger was out front for 21 consecutive laps before one of his tires began losing pressure, forcing him to the pits after Busch, Majeski, Heim, Taylor Gray and Nick Sanchez, last week’s winner at Daytona, sped past.

Busch crossed the finish line 0.187s ahead of Majeski, who edged Heim for the runner-up position by 0.009s. Gray and Sanchez came home fourth and fifth, respectively.

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“I actually got a run on the No. 9 truck (Enfinger) down the backstretch,” Busch said of the pass for the win. “He must have been going flat down the backstretch and slowing down because it gave me—it sucked me up right to him. Then he got loose in the corner. I got loose in the corner. We all checked up trying not to crash.

“Thankfully, we didn’t. I thought that was a big moment. But then we got the lead right there, and after that, it was about trying to protect it. Majeski was a bit of a wing man today. Appreciate him—and the history we’ve had together growing up racing late models with him a lot in Wisconsin and around those parts.

“That was a lot of fun. Great to get Chevrolet to Victory Lane.”

The race was the first of five events Busch will run for Spire Motorsports this year, after selling Kyle Busch Motorsports to the organization late in the 2023 season. Busch now has 230 victories across all three of NASCAR’s national series (63 NASCAR Cup, 102 Xfinity and 65 CRAFTSMAN Truck).

Coming through the final corner Busch effectively blocked Majeski’s only potential path to victory.

“I had a run, and I got to Kyle’s bumper,” Majeski said. “I knew he was going to cover the bottom. My only shot was to try and fade right, get to his quarter panel. That was the only shot that I had.

“Overall, super proud of the day. The truck was a little ill-handling in the beginning. (Crew chief) Joe Shear made some great calls, tightened me up a little bit so we could go racing.”

 

Tyler Ankrum led a race-high 46 laps but got shuffled back in the bottom lane after Enfinger passed him for the top spot in lap 108. Busch, who won Stage 2, was out front for 33 laps and Enfinger 23. Ankrum finished seventh behind Kaden Honeycutt in sixth.

Christian Eckes led 20 laps and won the first stage but suffered brake issues that prevented him from stopping in his pit box during the Stage 1 break. Eckes retired after 50 laps in 33rd place.

There were 20 lead changes among seven drivers and seven cautions for 37 laps.

RESULTS

Spire Motorsports reveals Corey LaJoie’s new Chili’s paint scheme for 2024

Spire Motorsports has revealed Corey LaJoie’s new Chili’s paint scheme for the 2024 Daytona 500 this weekend.

[autotag]Corey LaJoie[/autotag] and the No. 7 team will be sponsored by Chili’s in the 2024 Daytona 500, and [autotag]Spire Motorsports[/autotag] has revealed the paint scheme. The No. 7 car will have a white base with a red number. The Chili’s logo will also be on the hood and quarter panels. LaJoie’s scheme will be interactive, as seen by the nine QR codes on the car.

The codes on LaJoie’s firesuit and car can be scanned for a chance to win a $10 Chili’s gift card or a VIP trip to see NASCAR race at Circuit of the Americas on March 24. It is an excellent sign that Chili’s has invested in Spire Motorsports for the 2024 Daytona 500. The paint scheme celebrates Chili’s Presidente Margarita and the company’s general managers.

Spire Motorsports has invested in its NASCAR teams, so Chili’s could see a greater likelihood of success on Sunday afternoon. LaJoie will lead a young group with rookies Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar at his side. Chili’s has embraced the new project with Spire Motorsports, and LaJoie hopes to reward them with a trip to victory lane.

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Corey LaJoie to drive for Spire Motorsports in NASCAR Truck Series race at Daytona

Spire Motorsports announced on Thursday morning that Corey LaJoie will drive the No. 7 truck in the NASCAR Truck Series race at Daytona.

[autotag]Spire Motorsports[/autotag] has officially announced its NASCAR Truck Series lineup for Daytona International Speedway. On Thursday morning, Spire Motorsports revealed that [autotag]Corey LaJoie[/autotag] will drive the No. 7 truck at Daytona next weekend. LaJoie, who drives full-time for the team in the NASCAR Cup Series, will join Rajah Caruth and Chase Purdy as teammates.

In 2023, LaJoie drove the No. 7 truck at Daytona, finishing in 23rd place after leading 19 laps. The 32-year-old driver proved he could compete for race wins in NASCAR’s top 3 levels, so this move is good for Spire Motorsports. LaJoie’s experience should pair well with Caruth and Purdy as they look to secure their footing with the organization.

It is unknown how many races LaJoie will run with Spire Motorsports in the Truck Series, but he ran twice last season. If he makes the race at Daytona, he will have at least one start under his belt. Spire Motorsports has made several investments to become a great NASCAR organization, and LaJoie will look to prove the team’s worth at Daytona.

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Rajah Caruth joins Spire Motorsports full-time in NASCAR Truck Series for 2024

Spire Motorsports announced on Wednesday morning that Rajah Caruth will drive full-time in the No. 71 truck during the 2024 NASCAR season.

[autotag]Spire Motorsports[/autotag] announced on Wednesday morning that [autotag]Rajah Caruth[/autotag] will drive the No. 71 truck full-time during the 2024 NASCAR Truck Series season. Caruth will have Hendrickcars.com as the primary sponsor for 10 of the 23 races. The 21-year-old driver spent the 2023 season with GMS Racing before it ceased operations after Phoenix Raceway.

Caruth is a perfect fit for what Spire Motorsports is trying to build, and pairing him with veteran crew chief Chad Walter is the best way to maximize results. He has one year of full-time Truck Series racing under his belt, so seeing him do well in 2024 wouldn’t be shocking. Caruth had four top-10 finishes, ending the 2023 season with a 16th-place finish in the point standings.

Caruth will join Chase Purdy as a full-time teammate, with Kyle Busch expected to run select races in a third entry. Spire Motorsports will also provide a truck for Nick Sanchez and Rev Racing. Overall, this is a great hire for Spire Motorsports as Caruth looks for success in NASCAR. Caruth is a really talented driver and should maximize his abilities at Spire Motorsports.

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Spire Motorsports signs Celsius as a primary sponsor for Corey LaJoie in 2024

Spire Motorsports has signed Celsius as a sponsor for Corey LaJoie in 2024. Check out LaJoie’s schedule and paint scheme with Celsius!

[autotag]Spire Motorsports[/autotag] has committed to succeeding in NASCAR, and the purchases of Kyle Busch Motorsports and a charter in the Cup Series prove that point. With [autotag]Corey LaJoie[/autotag], Zane Smith, and Carson Hocevar in the Cup Series, it shows their dedication to winning. Now, Spire Motorsports is winning off the track with another sponsorship extension.

On Tuesday morning, Spire Motorsports announced that Celsius will continue with the team as a primary sponsor. Specifically, Celsius will sponsor LaJoie and the No. 7 team in four races starting at the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum. The company will also sponsor LaJoie at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 25, the Chicago Street Course on July 7, and Daytona International Speedway on August 24.

This is another notable sponsor for LaJoie and Spire Motorsports after signing Chili’s last week. The NASCAR organization continues to show its dedication to being great, but it’s also a great sign that well-known companies believe in the team. LaJoie could be on the verge of a breakout season, and Celsius hopes it will see the No. 7 car in victory lane.

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Spire Motorsports’ 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season preview

Spire Motorsports enters the 2024 NASCAR season looking for more speed and success. Here, you can check out Spire’s 2024 season preview!

[autotag]Spire Motorsports[/autotag] hasn’t been the most successful organization since its debut in the NASCAR Cup Series, but things appear to be turning around. The team bought a third charter from Live Fast Motorsports for the 2024 season and will have Zane Smith in the new entry. Meanwhile, Corey LaJoie returns with Carson Hoceavar taking over the No. 77 car.

What are the expectations for Spire Motorsports in 2024? This may be one of the hardest questions ahead of the 2024 NASCAR season, as the potential is through the roof. At the end of the day, it will come down to how each driver performs throughout the year.