Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Xfinity Star Named as Potential Cup Rookie Amidst Corey LaJoie’s Spire Motorsports Exit

Spire Motorsports is within the midst of an upheaval. The 2024 Foolish Season has been a rollercoaster journey already, particularly after Stewart-Haas Racing introduced its exit. Spire additionally chipped in its huge announcement, as it might be letting go of Corey LaJoie from its full-time Cup seat. Because the crew positive factors status within the storage, the massive query is, who would subject the No. 7 Chevrolet?

The rumor mills operated on the strains of an present Cup Sequence driver. However just lately, Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s Xfinity star has additionally entered the record of prospects. This younger driver’s stellar efficiency would easily propel him in direction of a Cup seat beside Spire’s promising rookie Carson Hocevar.

One other younger stud in Spire

Roping in four-time Craftsman Truck winner Carson Hocevar marked a milestone for Spire Motorsports. The Cup Sequence rookie lacks over a decade of expertise that Corey LaJoie has. However Hocevar greater than made up for it in his races—he earned 84 extra factors in 22 races and has 17 lead-lap finishes to LaJoie’s 14. To not point out he’s doing outdoors NASCAR as properly. Hocevar just lately gained the Battle of Berlin. So insiders have speculated that Hocevar’s superior efficiency lent Spire a yardstick that ultimately resulted in LaJoie’s ejection. Now one other 21-year-old is ready to make LaJoie sting.

On an episode of Efficiency Racing Community, visitor Dustin Albino outlined some prospects for the No. 7 Chevy. He initially espoused the notion of Justin Haley, Rick Ware Racing driver, to be Spire’s new face. “You hear the names on the market, however Justin Haley involves thoughts. Clearly, he has ties to Spire, he delivered them the primary win, you recognize, underneath loopy circumstances at Daytona 5 years in the past. I believe he’s a number one candidate.”

Nonetheless, one other identify was Sam Mayer, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 6-time Xfinity-winning star. Albino expanded on his favorable prospects. “By any means, there are different guys on the market who perhaps might convey some funding to the desk. With a crew like Spire, they nonetheless want some funding. So I might say Justin Haley’s a number one candidate, however there’s different drivers on the market, like Identical Mayer, as an example. He’s made it clear to me, he’s made it clear publicly that he desires to maneuver to the Cup Sequence.”

Sam Mayer has been a stellar fixture on racetracks. He carved out a glittering resume underneath Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s crew, being a 2018 alumnus of the JRM’s Late Mannequin program. In 2020, Mayer scripted historical past by being the second-youngest driver to win a NASCAR race—he gained the Bristol Craftsman Truck Sequence race at simply 17 years previous. Final 12 months he had a breakthrough within the Xfinity Sequence scene, showcasing some outstanding victories which have continued this 12 months.

Though Mayer’s energy is in highway programs, his first oval victory was one to recollect.

When Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s pupil achieved a milestone

Very like Shane van Gisbergen, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s pupil additionally struggles with ovals over highway programs. Lengthy famend as a highway course ace, Sam Mayer left a path of success on Xfinity highway tracks final 12 months. He clinched his first NXS victory at Highway America, then adopted it up with a trophy at Watkins Glen and a runner-up end at Indianapolis. Nonetheless, Mayer showcased his versatility by lastly profitable an oval race at Homestead-Miami. He led a formidable 46 laps and edged a aggressive Riley Herbst to seize his fourth Xfinity trophy final 12 months.

Final 12 months, Sam Mayer rejoiced in his success, emphasizing how essential oval racing is for NASCAR. “I imply, getting that first win off your chest basically. However it doesn’t matter what it’s, it’s all the time enormous. And having the ability to again it up with two extra highway course wins. Such as you really feel fairly pumped up and also you’re enthusiastic about it. However the one different roadblock is entering into the artwork of oval as a result of NASCAR is about circle observe racing. And also you wanna have the ability to do the whole lot within the sport. And at last, having the ability to get that oval win is big. It’s virtually like one other reduction. It virtually seems like your first win once more.”

This 12 months as properly, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s pupil has amazed followers twice. His Texas win marked the second-closest end in Xfinity historical past, and Mayer once more gained at Iowa. Evidently, Spire Motorsports is wooing a literal gem of a racer for its 2025 Cup Sequence schedule.