Spire Motorsports Returns to Michigan
Spire Motorsports is set to compete in the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, fielding three entries for Daniel Suárez, Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar. The lineup blends international experience, Mid‑America roots and recent on‑track consistency as the team looks to build on its previous successes at the 2‑mile oval.
Daniel Suárez brings a deep history with the track, highlighted by his first NASCAR national series victory in 2016 and a collection of top‑five and top‑ten finishes that include a career‑best fourth‑place result in 2019. His Mexican heritage adds a unique storyline to the event, and his past performances have consistently placed him among the leaders at Michigan.
Michael McDowell, who has made 19 Cup Series starts at the venue, recorded a personal best 19th‑place finish earlier this year and maintains an average finish of 9.75 across his last four races at the track. His recent consistency suggests he can be a dark‑horse contender for a strong result in the upcoming race.
Carson Hocevar, a native of Portage, Michigan, will tackle double duty this weekend, competing in both the Cup Series and the Truck Series events. Currently ninth in the Cup standings and just ten points outside the top eight, Hocevar’s local connection adds extra excitement, especially after a challenging finish in last year’s race when a cut tire dropped him to 29th despite leading 32 laps.
The team’s performance is further enhanced by engine power from Hendrick Motorsports, whose high‑output units are especially potent on Michigan’s long straightaways. This partnership gives Spire a competitive edge that could translate into a breakthrough result for the organization.
Zane Smith’s seventh‑place finish in 2024 remains the best result for Spire at the track, underscoring the organization’s upward trajectory. With two top‑10 finishes in recent years, Spire Motorsports aims to capitalize on its strong engine program and the home‑field advantage to contend for a victory that would mark a milestone for the team.