Carson Hocevar Rubbishes Spire Motorsports’ Championship Desires Amidst Growth Spree

It’s no secret how Spire Motorsports has expanded its ceiling by nice lengths within the final 9 months. One among their latest growth plans concerned the signing of veteran driver Michael McDowell. Whereas the signing ought to encourage the group to be bold, younger Carson Hocevar feels the group is much from competing for the championship or the playoffs.

With McDowell changing the on-loan Zane Smith to pilot the #71 automobile subsequent 12 months, it definitely eliminates the complexity of the cope with Trackhouse Racing. Actually, Hocevar went in depth to clarify the difficult dynamics within the operation of the present #71 setup.

Carson Hocevar believes signing Michael McDowell provides a “little bit extra future” to the group

Spire Motorsports went on a buying spree final September when it bought Stay Quick Motorsports’ $40 million constitution. If that wasn’t sufficient, the group went forward and bought Kyle Busch Motorsports and its 77,000-square-foot race store for almost $14.5 million.

For a group simply into its sixth Cup Collection profession, it definitely is a whole lot of progress. On the identical time, it speaks volumes of their intent to develop and get higher. Actually, their latest acquisition of Michael McDowell for the 2025 season clearly signifies their intent to enhance their on-track outcomes.

Whereas the 39-year-old comes with a whole lot of expertise, #77 driver Carson Hocevar feels it can definitely assist the group’s trigger in his personal approach. Most significantly, it can assist to have a transparent strategy given the present complicated relationship with Trackhouse involving the #71 group.

Chatting with the media just lately, he stated, “The #71 [team] has a relationship with Trackhouse and the whole lot so that they’re not a full Spire automobile per se as a result of they should reply to a whole lot of completely different bosses. It’s nonetheless a Spire-prepared automobile however they should do two competitors conferences for the whole lot they do; a contest assembly in-house they usually go to Trackhouse to do their competitors assembly.”

With the signing of McDowell, the #71 can now have an undivided strategy. As Hocevar rightly identified, “So simply have the ability to sort of have all arms on deck contained in the constructing with Michael [McDowell] and whoever’s his crew chief and the whole lot and have the ability to at all times have three vehicles pushing the identical path and understanding some future.”

Along with that, Hocevar defined how Spire Motorsports can construct with McDowell within the group now. He stated, “I’m on for one more 12 months subsequent 12 months, Corey [LaJoie] the identical, and Michael for the subsequent few years, it simply provides somewhat bit extra future as we construct that. There’s not any extra variable change and we are able to simply all construct for what we want.”

Nevertheless, whereas the 21-year-old spoke positively concerning the McDowell signing, he nonetheless feels Spire Motorsports are distant from a competing for championship or a playoff spot. In Hocevar’s phrases, “We’re not a playoff group but or by any means I don’t assume however we’re attempting to get there. We’re nonetheless simply hiring lots of people.”

At the moment, it’s tough to see Spire Motorsports as a playoff contender with their greatest end coming at P25 final season. Nevertheless, does signing McDowell change that perspective?

Can Michael McDowell assist Spire Motorsports step as much as the subsequent stage?

There may be fact in Carson Hocevar’s phrases when he claimed Spire Motorsports not being a playoff group presently. Whereas it’s the bitter fact, the group has grown leaps and bounds to facilitate an entry into the unchartered territory. Having stated that, is Michael McDowell the proper particular person to attain that?

Having competed in 477 Cup Collection races to this point, it wouldn’t take time for McDowell to settle with Spire Motorsports. It’s value noting that after his arrival at Entrance Row Motorsports, the group grew to the subsequent stage. After signing with FRM in 2018, he registered two wins, eight top-five, and 35 top-ten finishes in seven years.

Curiously, McDowell has contributed to 50% of the group’s whole variety of wins of their Cup Collection historical past. Whereas it’s wonderful, he gave FRM their greatest end final season with a P15 end. Within the final three seasons, the 39-year-old has twice certified for the playoffs and is able to pulling off a shock win given the proper setup.

With McDowell’s report and the rising setup at Spire Motorsports, the Arizona native can definitely push his new group’s ambitions. Not solely that, his and Corey LaJoie’s huge expertise within the Cup Collection could possibly be pivotal in enhancing Carson Hocevar’s progress and on-track efficiency.

All in all, the signing of McDowell appears a promising prospect for Spire Motorsports. Whereas Hocevar appeared hesitant with a playoff prospect, hopefully, the 2021 Daytona 500 winner’s arrival modifications the attitude.