Spire Motorsports recruits Chase Elliott's former spotter as Justin Haley's crew member for 2025

Long-time NASCAR spotter Eddie D'Hondt is set to move from Stewart-Haas Racing to Spire Motorsports for the 2025 Cup Series season. The former crew member of Chase Elliott will become a part of the #7 team, spotting for Justin Haley next year.

Before joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2011 as a spotter, D'Hondt owned and managed D'Hondt Motorsports. The team ran three drivers, David Gilliland, Danny O'Quinn Jr., and Kyle Busch. However, due to some issues, he ended his team ahead of the 2011 season to become part of Chase Elliott's #9 team.

After 13 years with HMS, D'Hondt eventually moved to Stewart-Haas Racing, spotting for the #4 car of Josh Berry. However, with SHR shutting up shop at the end of the current season, D'Hondt began hunting for new opportunities to continue to work in the Cup Series. With Rodney Childers (former SHR crew chief for Berry) already signed as the crew chief for Haley's #7 team, D'Hondt has now signed a multi-year deal with the team, starting work from 2025 onwards.

He shared the news on X. Here's a look at the post, captioned:

"Very excited to announce a signed multi-year deal to join @SpireMotorsport and the #7 team. Can’t wait to get started & help building forward."

Apart from Childers, Haley, and D'Hondt, Spire Motorsport has also roped in Michael McDowell from SHR for the 2025 season.

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"I’m excited to come home" - Justin Haley on returning to Spire Motorsports after swap with Corey LaJoie

Justin Haley is back at Spire Motorsports as a full-time driver after a span of three seasons. He showcased his excitement about joining Spire again during the press announcement.

As part of a driver swap between Rick Ware Racing and Spire, Haley replaced Corey LaJoie for the remainder of the 2024 season. However, the team also offered him a multi-year contract to drive the #7 car.

"Spire Motorsports gave me my first few starts in the Cup Series. My first was in the No. 77 at Talladega on my 20th birthday. We had a lot of great runs in our first year together in 2019, and there’s still a lot of familiar faces around there who were on the team back then. I’m excited to come home. This is where I got my start in the Cup Series," Justin Haley said.

Apart from his return to the team, Haley also spoke highly of the new #7 crew chief for the 2025 season, Rodney Childers.

“Having someone like Rodney behind you and supporting you on the pit box is one of the biggest motivations you can have as a driver and a team. I’m really looking forward to working with Rodney. He brings a lot to the table, especially for a younger driver like me," he added.

As of now, Justin Haley is placed 31st in the 2024 Cup Series drivers' championship. In the 31 races so far, the 25-year-old racer has managed to finish three times in the top 10.