Spire Motorsports had a roller-coaster year in 2025. On the upside, they grabbed a milestone by earning their first-ever Cup Series pole with Michael McDowell at Las Vegas in the Pennzoil 400. They also made waves in the Truck Series, with Rajah Caruth winning the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville, leading the most laps in that race. But consistency proved elusive as their No. 7 entry with Justin Haley struggled throughout the season, posting just one top-5 and two top-10s, and lagged behind teammates in the standings.

Possibly owing to that, the uneven performance ultimately led to the announcement that Spire and Justin Haley are parting ways after the season, with no word yet on who’ll slide into the No. 7 seat for 2026.

Haley’s Spire story started in 2019, the team’s rookie Cup year. He made his debut on his 20th birthday at Talladega, finishing 32nd, but bounced back a month later at Daytona with his first Cup win, a massive moment that put Spire on the map.

Jeff Dickerson, co-owner, got emotional about it: “Justin has been part of our family since he was a teenager. We’ve watched him grow from an ambitious young driver into a proven winner. He helped shape our team’s identity and played a key role in our successes. He’s a competitor who earns respect in the garage and will be an asset to whichever team he joins next.”

From Winamac, Indiana, Haley’s been a road warrior since his 2016 ARCA Menards Series East title at 17. He’s logged over 330 starts across Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks, with one Cup win, six top-5s, and 18 top-10s in 177 starts, 74 with Spire.

He juggled full Xfinity schedules with 34 Cup runs from 2019-2020, then went full-time at Kaulig in 2022 before circling back to Spire in September 2024. At 26, he’s one of just 41 drivers with wins in all three national series, four in Xfinity, three in Trucks, a mark of his versatility that’s left him respected but under the radar.

Spire’s parting with Haley feels like the end of an era. He was there from the start, helping the team find its feet in a Cup field stacked with giants. Haley grew up in the No. 7, from teen prospect to proven talent.

Spire’s move is a reset, but it’s bittersweet. Haley’s Daytona triumph in 2019 was the team’s first Cup win, a milestone that proved they belonged. His 18 top-10s with Spire show the talent that grew alongside the team, from juggling schedules to full-time runs.

Now, with 2026 on the horizon, Spire is scouting for the next chapter. Two prominent drivers who could be strong candidates are Kyle Busch and Daniel Suárez, both of whom find themselves at career crossroads.

Strong contenders for Spire’s No. 7 Seat

Kyle Busch has faced challenges at Richard Childress Racing (RCR) during the 2025 season. Despite being a two-time Cup Series champion, Busch has yet to secure a win this year, and his frustrations were evident when team owner Richard Childress expressed dissatisfaction over the team’s performance.

With RCR’s struggles and Busch’s desire for a competitive environment, a move to Spire Motorsports could provide a fresh start and the opportunity to contend for victories.

Daniel Suárez, on the other hand, is set to leave Trackhouse Racing after the 2025 season. The team announced that they would part ways with Suárez, who has been with them since their inception in 2021.

Suárez’s experience and recent success, including a win at Atlanta in 2024, make him an attractive option for Spire Motorsports as they look to build a competitive team for the 2026 season.

Both drivers bring valuable experience and a track record of success to the table. As Spire Motorsports looks to fill the No. 7 seat, Busch and Suárez are among the top contenders to consider for the 2026 season.