Justin Haley, Spire Motorsports to part ways following 2025 NASCAR season

Justin Haley won’t be returning to Spire Motorsports in 2026. On Tuesday, the driver and the team announced they will part ways following the NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 2.

As for who will take over the No. 7 Chevrolet next season, Spire said plans for the entry will be revealed at a later date. According to Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, soon-to-be former Trackhouse Racing driver Daniel Suárez is considered a leading candidate for the seat.

“This is a decision that was not taken lightly,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson, via press release. “Justin has been a member of the Spire family since he was a teenager. We’ve watched him grow from a young driver trying to make his mark in the sport to a proven winner. He helped strengthen our organization into what it is today.

“He made us winners and returned home after forging his own path in the Cup Series. Justin is the embodiment of a true racer who has quietly become a respected competitor within the NASCAR garage and will be an incredible asset to his next team.”

Haley began racing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022 with Kaulig Racing, joining Spire in Sept. 2024. The move was seen as a step toward building Spire into a consistent contender, but that vision hasn’t fully materialized during the 2025 campaign.

In addition to Haley, Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar currently drive for Spire Motorsports — and both have shown more consistency and upside throughout the season. As the organization looks to take the next step toward becoming a top-tier Cup Series team, it’s clear Spire is willing to make bold moves to ensure the right fit behind the wheel of the No. 7 car moving forward.

More on Spire Motorsports, No. 7 Chevrolet

Moreover, the aforementioned Suárez has been searching for a new ride since it was announced that Connor Zilisch would take over his seat at Trackhouse Racing in 2026. After a successful few seasons, both sides are moving in a different direction, leaving the 33-year-old veteran still without an official plan for next year.

However, Suárez dropped a notable hint late in September, telling Saajan Jogia of Newsweek that “things are looking good” that he expects to announce his next move soon.

Previously, Bianchi reported that Suárez’s most realistic path forward might involve returning to the Xfinity Series, though nothing was finalized at the time. Now, with Haley’s impending departure from Spire, the timing could be working in Suárez’s favor — proving that sometimes, the best opportunities come to those who wait.