What began with high hopes for Spire Motorsports and Justin Haley has turned into a big disappointment , and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not sugarcoating it.
“He has leveraged that into this opportunity at Spire, but since it’s been awful,” Earnhardt Jr. said on his most recent episode of his Dale Jr. Download podcast.
Last year, Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson said that Justin Haley was extremely talented and the team was excited to have him back. However as the 2025 season has unfolded, Justin Haley (Brad Keselowski’s protégé) has struggled. He only had one top-10 in 15 starts with an average finish of 22nd and is currently 29th in points . So well below expectations.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t mince words, pointing to the departure of crew chief Rodney Childers as a huge blow:
“I felt like that had the potential to be the best Spire car and has been the opposite.” Junior continued, “Rodney got out of there. I think that derailed Haley a little bit.”
Childers left in late April and was replaced mid-season , an upheaval Dale Earnhardt Jr.says shook the whole #7 team.
Meanwhile, while Justin Haley is struggling, Spire Motorsports‘ other driver, Carson Hocevar, is thriving: three top-10s, two top-5s and a pole . Hocevar is 18th in points and in playoff contention.
Earnhardt Jr. noted the contrast, went even further, speculating Haley might be racing “second-tier” equipment:
“Spire’s been this team that’s evolved… now, at least with the 77 racing to win, right?”
“These top teams… they’re going to look at all of them and go. ‘Yeah, I think this is the best one… my least favorite one,’” suggesting not all cars in the same stable receive equal investment.
With Justin Haley reeling from a crew chief change, resource issues and public criticism the stakes couldn’t be higher. Kansas Speedway is next, so can Brad Keselowski’s protégé turn it around, or will this slide continue?
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