The Chili Bowl is almost here and another NASCAR driver has confirmed his entry. While teams like Joe Gibbs Racing have finally changed their minds and allowed drivers to get back to dirt racing, it seems like Spire Motorsports is not on the same page. However, before the 2025 Cup Series ensues, Spire Motorsport announced that Justin Haley will be seen taking part in the RC Chilli Bowl, ready to defend his title.

The RC Chili Bowl is a radio-controlled (RC) dirt oval race that takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in conjunction with the Chili Bowl Nationals. Despite the restrictions that Spire Motorsports placed to race dirt cars, Haley will be looking to reclaim his 2024 title in the street stock division with an RC car. While his fans are waiting for him to make a mark at the Daytona International Speedway on 16th February, the RC Chili Bowl also holds a lot of anticipation for the young driver.

Title defense on the line

Haley posted a picture of his RC car on Facebook on December 20th, detailing his progress in preparation for the event. “2025 RC Chili Bowl Preparation! Been working on them for awhile but finally able to get them on track this week! The Team GFRP cars are fast, Whitz Bearings are smooth, and the XXX Power is lighting quick! Few more tests, then off to Tulsa!”

A recent article from Spire Motorsports that announced his appearance at the RC Chili Bowl read, “His pursuit of a second RC Chili Bowl title begins on Monday, January 13th and will conclude with the feature events on Saturday, January 18th. He will be competing in the RC late model, midget, and outlaw sprint divisions before returning to Charlotte to continue preparation for the NASCAR Cup Series season.” 

The Indiana native was steadily improving with Rick Ware Racing last season, despite securing just one top-5 finish at Talladega in 2024. Being part of an unlikely swap with Corey LaJoie, Haley will now be driving for Spire Motorsports for the 2025 season under the able guidance of Rodney Childers. Now, as he looks to impress his new team, he will first get a chance at claiming another title at Tulsa.

Just after he is done with the RC Chili Bowl, his career at the Cup Series awaits him. Being under the guidance of someone like Rodney Childers, who is a 40-time NASCAR Cup Series race-winning crew, Haley is supposed to get the best guidance. It was Childers who had guided Kevin Harvick to his 2014 NCS championship.

Haley has been the only driver till now to bring Spire Motorsports its very first victory at the Daytona International Speedway in 2019 while being a part-time driver. While the 25-year-old’s shift from Rick Ware Racing might have been sudden, it has led to positive aspirations from fans. His 2024 season might not look strong by the numbers, but certain results do give Spire hope for the future.

Justin Haley’s journey so far

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Haley began his racing journey by securing multiple championships at the Kokomo Quarter Midget Club, laying the foundation for his rise through the motorsport ranks. By 2014, he advanced to the K&N Pro Series East, where his talent shone brightly. In 2015, he earned the Rookie of the Year award, and in 2016, he claimed the series championship with remarkable consistency, finishing in the top 10 in all 14 races. 

Haley’s 2024 season started with Rick Ware Racing and a 26th-place finish at the Daytona 500. During the Goodyear 400 at Darlington, Haley delivered a strong performance, securing a 9th-place finish and achieving his first Top 10 result with Rick Ware Racing. On September 20, 2024, it was revealed that Justin Haley and Spire Motorsports driver Corey LaJoie would swap seats starting with the 2024 Hollywood Casino 400 and continuing for the remainder of the season. 

“Spire Motorsports gave me my first few starts in the Cup Series,” said Haley on joining Spire mid-season in 2024. “We had a lot of great runs in our first year together in 2019, and there’s still a lot of familiar faces around there who were on the team back then. I’m excited to come home. This is where I got my start in the Cup Series.” His second race with Spire in 2024 saw him claim a 7th-place finish at Talladega, which was his only top-5 finish for the season.

Only time will tell if the 2025 season brings about a change in form for Haley. With a veteran crew chief by his side, Haley will look to change the surrounding narrative.