Spire Motorsports has named Justin Haley's crew chief after the team and Rodney Childers mutually parted ways.
According to a Thursday announcement, Ryan Sparks will take over the No. 7 team and guide it for the rest of the 2025 Cup Series season. Sparks will continue to serve as Spire Motorsports' director of competition as he tries to help the organization continue to grow into a contender.
This will not be a first-time pairing for Haley, considering that he spent several races working with Sparks last season following a rare midseason trade.
Last season at Bristol Motor Speedway, Spire Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing announced they would swap drivers. Corey LaJoie would head to Rick Ware Racing and take over the No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Haley would head to Spire Motorsports and drive the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro.
Haley's first race at Spire Motorsports was at Kansas Speedway in the fall. This was his first race with Sparks as his crew chief.
The partnership continued with Talladega Superspeedway, Charlotte Roval, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, and Phoenix Raceway. Haley's best finish in the No. 7 last season was seventh at Talladega.
Sparks, who has long been the director of competition at Spire Motorsports, left the pit box after the 2024 season came to a close at Phoenix Raceway. He stepped aside while Childers made the move from Stewart-Haas Racing.
Sparks will head back to the pit box, starting this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, as he guides Haley's team. He will move closer to his 200th race as a crew chief, and he will continue to seek his first win at NASCAR's top level.
Childers, for comparison, issued a statement on Wednesday and provided a glimpse at his plans. He explained that he will take some time to be with his friends and family. He will see what the racing world holds for him as he evaluates his future.