Despite Hefty Off-Season Investments, Spire Motorsports Still Left on the “Outside” by Manufacturers

Spire Motorsports was only a whiteboard dream for co-owners Jeff Dickerson and TJ Puchyr, just a few years ago. Now, they’ve tripled their Cup Series presence, acquired a championship-winning Truck Series team, and moved into a state-of-the-art 77,000-acre facility. But the biggest question remains, can they compete with the NASCAR giants who have factory backing and decades of experience? This season, with a talented driver lineup and a renewed focus on execution, Spire is determined to prove they’re not just playing catch-up, they’re ready to challenge the established order.

The team’s director of competition, Ryan Sparks, recently emphasized the legitimacy of aiming for victories and playoff contention to NBC. saying, “I think we have the tools in place. It’s just going to be up to people to execute the weekends.” Corey LaJoie, the stalwart driver of their #7 car in the Cup Series, also reminisced about the humble beginnings where a conference table, a whiteboard, and a dream laid the foundation. He reflected, “It’s weird when an actual long-term plan comes to fruition.” The 2023 season saw significant strides, with LaJoie exceeding expectations, achieving three top-10 finishes and two top-fives.

Corey LaJoie Highlights Manufacturer Absence for 2024

The narrative takes an intriguing turn as Spire Motorsports shifts its objectives from modest achievements to aiming for the pinnacle in the 2024 season. LaJoie’s bold proclamation to Peter Stratta recently, “Doug, myself, Sparks, and Dickerson all think if we execute we can make the Playoffs. Big difference from just wanting to finish races. That’s our bar now,” sets the stage for a season marked by audacious goals.

The dawn of the 2024 season heralds a new era for Spire Motorsports. LaJoie marvels at the team’s transformation, in another tweet by Stratta, LaJoie told the journalist, “It’s a completely different team. The shop is one thing, but then there’s engineering, more staff, and Doug Duchardt.”

Furthermore, Corey LaJoie lay bare the team’s reality in Startta’s most recent tweet involving him, allegedly stating, “There’s now 24 factory-backed teams with manufacturer help, and calls @SpireMotorsport still on the outside looking in from their resource level, but it’s much closer than years past. ‘We have lofty goals for top-fives.'” 

Despite their impressive growth, Spire still lacks the full manufacturer support enjoyed by their major competitors. This presents a significant hurdle, but one LaJoie believes they can overcome through sheer execution, now a signature of the young team.

Taking Aim in the Truck Series at the Atlanta Motor Speedway

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Amidst these welcome changes, the Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway holds a special place, marking Spire Motorsports’ entry into the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS). The team fields the Nos. 7, 71, and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full-time in the NCTS, with a diverse driver lineup that includes Rajah Caruth in the #71 and Chase Purdy in the #77.

Read More: Corey LaJoie Unravels His Spire Motorsports Skepticism Despite Commending “Recent Hires”

With an eye on expansion, Spire Motorsports is fielding three competitive entries in Atlanta. The debut of 20-year NASCAR veteran Kyle Busch in the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado, after his team Kyle Busch Motorsports, the most successful Truck Series team ever, was sold to Spire recently, adds another layer of excitement to the team’s 2024 endeavors. This marks Rowdy’s first time competing outside of Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series, since their inception in 2010.

However, the road to victory won’t be easy. Spire faces stiff competition from established teams with full manufacturer backing. Can they overcome this resource gap with their talent, teamwork, and strategic execution?