"I didn't process" - Justin Haley apologizes after miscommunication with new spotter Stefan Parsons in first week with Spire Motorsports

Justin Haley's first appearance for Spire Motorsports in the Cup Series was a forgetful one as the former Rick Ware Racing driver faced a cruel end to his Kansas race. Haley was subjected to miscommunications with his crew chief Stefan Parsons, and as a result, he finished his race in 33rd place in a field of 38 drivers.

Haley started his race from 23rd place and was racing formidably before the Lap 149 incident. During this Lap, Haley moved down into John Hunter Nemechek, spun both cars and brought out the caution.

However, Haley's first time at Spire Motorsports was not a race to forget. The #7 driver was yet to settle down in the team and understand all the words and hints from Parsons during the race. On the other hand, the latter was also getting used to what Haley heard over the radio at RWR.

Speaking about Haley's issue, the #7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 driver said, as per Jonathan Fjeld,

"He said inside and I thought he meant out, I didn't process. I'm sorry about that."

Haley had been in the news of late after Rick Ware Racing traded him out to Spire Motorsports in a swap deal with Corey LaJoie. The teams did not wait for the season to change but started their operations with immediate effect at Kansas.

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Justin Haley's opposition Corey LaJoie had a decent outing at Kansas

Justin Haley (51) during the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

While Justin Haley saw his race jeopardized in front of his eyes at Kansas, Corey LaJoie, the driver he was swapped with, had a decent outing on Sunday. LaJoie started his race from 27th place, four places down to Haley, but ended up in an impressive 15th place.

With this, Corey LaJoie kept his place ahead of Justin Haley in the NASCAR standings. The former claimed 415 points in 29 races, whereas the latter had 414 points in as many races.

As for the head-to-head statistics, LaJoie has a top 5, and three top 10 finishes, while Haley has only two top 10s. None of the drivers have qualified for the NASCAR playoffs this season.

Trackhouse Racing Team's Ross Chastain claimed the Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet win ahead of Hendrick Motorsports' William Byron and Joe Gibbs Racing's Martin Truex Jr.

Byron, however, leads the playoff standings with +34 after the Hollywood Casino 400 race, ahead of Team Penske's Ryan Blaney (+28) and Joe Gibbs Racing's Christopher Bell (+28). Following the conclusion of the first race of the round of 12, NASCAR is all set to host the next race, the Yellawood 500, at Talladega on October 6.