Spire Motorsports Gears Up for New Hampshire’s Mobil 1 301
The magic of NASCAR is in the grind. It’s about showing up week after week, learning from each mile turned, and never giving up on the dream of finding Victory Lane. That’s precisely what Spire Motorsports has been doing since they started fielding cars in the Cup Series, and this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, they’re ready to prove that persistence pays off.
Spire Motorsports: Building Something Special
When you look at Spire Motorsports, you see a team that understands what it means to build from the ground up. They’ve been grinding it out at New Hampshire for years, collecting data, learning the track, and slowly but surely making progress. With 11 Cup Series starts at “The Magic Mile,” they’ve managed one top-20 and three top-25 finishes which are not spectacular numbers, but they tell the story of a team that’s steadily climbing the ladder.
Carson Hocevar’s 17th-place finish last June stands as the team’s best effort at the flat one-mile oval, and it’s a result that shows this organization has the tools to compete. That’s what Spire Motorsports is all about: finding those moments where everything clicks and building on them.
The Drivers Ready to Battle at New Hampshire
Justin Haley: The Veteran Leader
Justin Haley brings experience and determination to the No. 7 NationsGuard Chevrolet. With four previous Cup Series starts at New Hampshire and a best finish of 17th, Haley knows what it takes to navigate this tricky track. His pair of top-20 finishes at the venue shows he’s comfortable here, and after a solid 13th-place run at Bristol, the confidence is building.
“Bristol was a solid weekend from start to finish for the No. 7 team,” Haley shared after his recent strong performance. “We had a great car all weekend, and we executed well. We are putting together weekends, and that gives us confidence heading to New Hampshire.”That’s the kind of talk you want to hear from a driver who’s been around the block. Haley understands that success in NASCAR stems from consistency and execution, and Spire Motorsports has been providing him with the tools to achieve just that.
Michael McDowell: The Rain Master
If there’s one driver on the Spire Motorsports roster who should hope for cloudy skies this weekend, it’s Michael McDowell. The veteran wheelman has shown a knack for performing when the weather gets tricky at New Hampshire, running inside the top-10 during rain-affected races in both 2023 and 2024.”I hope it rains,” McDowell said with characteristic honesty. “The best I’ve run at New Hampshire is in the rain.”
With 22 Cup Series starts at New Hampshire and a best finish of 13th, McDowell brings valuable experience to the No. 71 Gainbridge Chevrolet. His team’s success this season includes Spire Motorsports’ first pole award at Las Vegas and their first stage win in Chicago, which shows they’re capable of stepping up when it matters.
Carson Hocevar: The Rising Star
Carson Hocevar represents the future of Spire Motorsports. The young gun delivered the team’s best-ever finish at New Hampshire last year with that 17th-place effort, and he’s been on a roll lately with a seventh-place finish at Bristol adding to his eight top-10s this season. Despite limited experience at New Hampshire, Hocevar has shown he can handle flat tracks.
His second-place finish at Milwaukee in the Truck Series, where he led 40 laps, proves he has the skills to compete on similar layouts.”Crazy things have been known to happen at New Hampshire,” Hocevar noted. “I don’t have a ton of experience there so it’s still a learning experience for me when we unload on Saturday.”
The Magic Mile: Where Dreams Come True
New Hampshire Motor Speedway has always been a place where the unexpected can happen. The flat one-mile oval creates unique racing conditions that reward smart strategy and patient driving. For Spire Motorsports, it represents an opportunity to continue building their program and potentially achieve their best result yet.
The track’s history of producing surprise winners and dramatic finishes means every team has a shot when they unload on Saturday. Spire Motorsports has been steadily improving its performance at tracks like this, and its recent success at short tracks gives it reason for optimism.
Looking Ahead: The Momentum is Building
What’s exciting about Spire Motorsports heading into New Hampshire is the momentum they’ve been building. Haley’s consistent runs, McDowell’s veteran savvy, and Hocevar’s raw speed are combining to create something special. They’ve proven they can compete for top-15 finishes, and breakthrough moments like their Las Vegas pole and Chicago stage win show they’re capable of even more.
The Mobil 1 301 represents more than just another race for Spire Motorsports, as it’s another opportunity to demonstrate that with hard work, dedication, and the right approach, any team can compete in NASCAR’s premier series. They’ve been building toward moments like this, and New Hampshire might just be where everything comes together.
When the green flag waves on Sunday night, Spire Motorsports will be ready to battle. They’ve got the drivers, they’ve got the preparation, and most importantly, they’ve got the hunger that drives every successful NASCAR team. The magic of “The Magic Mile” awaits, and Spire Motorsports is ready to make some magic of its own.
