Duel at Daytona Race Report

Justin Haley – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

Justin Haley rolled off the grid 16th for the first-of-two events in Thursday’s Duel at Daytona at the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. The Winamac, Ind., native pitted on a Lap 3 caution to top off on fuel. The No. 7 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet quickly worked its way to the third position by Lap 12, advancing 13 positions. Unfortunately, his strong run came to an early end when contact with a competitor sent him into the Turn 2 wall, sustaining enough damage to end his day. The team was credited with a 21st-place finish. He will roll off the grid 35th for the 57th running of the Daytona 500.

Justin’s Post-Race Comments
“I’ve never ridden a horse before, but I feel like I got bucked off one. I hit pretty hard. I tried to lift when Chandler (Smith) came across my nose. He (Chandler) told me in the infield care center that none of his digital mirrors worked and his spotter cleared him. I tried to lift, but it was too late. It’s unfortunate. We’re going to have to go to Chili’s and have a margarita or two; sleep this one off and get to work on the car in preparation for Sunday.”

Michael McDowell – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

Michael McDowell qualified 17th in Wednesday’s Daytona 500 qualifying session, placing him in the ninth starting position for the first-of-two events in Thursday’s Duel at Daytona. After a caution involving Justin Haley and the No. 7 team, the No. 71 was called down pit road to top off on fuel. Following the fueling stop, the team was issued a penalty and forced to serve a pass-through. Thankfully for McDowell, debris was found in Turn Four shortly after, keeping the No. 71 team on the lead lap. With 13 laps to go, the Arizona native intentionally removed himself from the draft to ensure the team’s starting spot in Sunday’s Daytona 500. McDowell crossed the line in the 12th position. He will roll off the grid 23rd for the 57th running of the Daytona 500.

Michael’s Post-Race Comments
“Wow! That was an exciting duel in our Go Bowling Chevrolet ZL1. Probably more excitement than we wanted. Unfortunately, the No. 7 Chili’s car is going to have to go to a backup. So, a little bit of work for the team, but we were able to rally there at the end, get a few spots and feel what the car had. Our Chevrolet has a lot of speed and drives really well. I’m excited to go 500 miles on Sunday with this No. 71 team!”

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

Carson Hocevar and the No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group team started 18th in the first 60-lap event in the Duel at Daytona on Thursday night. Hocevar pitted for fuel during the first caution of the race on Lap 4 and restarted at the tail of the field before the second yellow-flag period occurred on Lap 15. The Michigan native brought his Zeigler Automotive Group Chevrolet ZL1 to pit road for tires and fuel then lined up to within the top 10 before topping off for fuel on one to green signal. Hocevar kept his Chevy toward the back of the field to avoid impending wrecks and ensure a clean car for Sunday’s Daytona 500. The 22-year-old crossed the line 18th after completing all 60 laps. He will roll off the grid 31st for the 57th running of the Daytona 500.

Carson’s Post-Race Comments
“We have a really good Zeigler Auto Group Chevy for Sunday. I was ready to get up to the front and fight for a better spot, but there was a lot of hard racing going on and it just felt like it was best to feel out the draft and see if there was anything we needed to work on before then. The No. 77 guys did a great job getting things ready and I think we’ll have a good shot at it on Sunday.”

Up Next…
Now the lineups are set, the NASCAR Cup Series kicks off the 2025 campaign with the 67th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 16. The season-opener will be televised live from the “World Center of Racing” on FOX at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

The first of 36 points-paying races in the Cup Series calendar will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR Race Day on FOX takes the green flag at 12:30 p.m. EST.

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About Spire Motorsports …

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team will also field the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and the No. 77 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series in select events.