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Justin Haley’s move to Spire Motorsports may come with some unforeseen benefits. Rumors that tied Haley to Spire and Hendrick Motorsports this season resulted in Haley perhaps having the best of both worlds in 2025. That being said, with this relationship, is there a route for Justin Haley to make it to Hendrick Motorsports?
This season with Rick Ware Racing, Justin Haley probably earned the No. 51 more TV time than it has had in years. Haley consistently ran better than almost any other RWR driver had in previous seasons.
With rumors of a move to Spire, Haley became the hottest name on the NASCAR free-agent market. These rumors devolved into a narrative that Haley could replace Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman in the No. 48 next season.
Even after these rumors were pushed aside by not only Bowman, Jeff Gordon, and Rick Hendrick, more rumors suggested that HMS could have a fifth driver on contract in 2025.
This past Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway, Haley, RWR, Spire Motorsports, and Corey Lajoie announced a pending driver swap. This swap meant the drivers would switch rides starting at Kansas Speedway this weekend.
However, during a press conference at Bristol, RFK Racing co-owner Brad Keselowski suggested that there’s more to Haley’s deal at Spire than just racing, including a potential future with HMS.
“Justin had a career opportunity that, you know, wasn’t anything we could match. To be a part of, you know, Rick Hendricks deal there, and you know, and what that means for him [Haley] after [20]25, you know, that’s their announcement to have.” — Brad Keselowski
These comments from Brad concern Haley’s potential “what could have been” future at RFK Racing. But these words also hold the answer to the question of who might be HMS’ fifth driver in 2025.
So, with everything we know, is there a way for Haley to climb the HMS ladder following 2025?
The logical next step for Haley would be to take over for one of HMS’ four drivers. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done.
Many fans and insiders feel that William Byron has still not peaked in his NASCAR Career, while Chase Elliott continues to be one of the most consistent finishers in NASCAR. That being said, Kyle Larson is still generational talent Kyle Larson.
That leaves just one driver, Alex Bowman.
This season alone, following back-to-back seasons with injuries, Bowman has won a race and improved his statistics tremendously. Since the rumors of his exit at HMS, Bowman has been on a tear of consistency.
It now appears, with both Mr. H and Jeff Gordon’s confidence, that Bowman is secure. That means that Haley would likely have to have a great season at Spire in 2025, and even then, Bowman’s sponsor, Ally, would have to approve.
Some have suggested a trade-in trade-out between the two, with Bowman heading to what might be a Chevrolet Tier One-supported Spire Motorsports in 2026. Once again, Ally would perhaps have a say in the move. Even then, would Haley want to move, or should he even try to keep moving?
Justin should be, and probably is, happy with the current situation and a fresh start at a team he is familiar with.
Furthermore, if Spire gets Tier One support, that could sweeten the deal to stay put. Most importantly, Crew Chief Rodney Childers gives Haley the chance to do something he has never done before. Work with a NASCAR Cup Series Champion Crew Chief.
While Justin Haley has always been the type to shoot to the top, for now, he is in a great spot. But, as this Silly Season has taught us, you never know who will be in a new car in the future.
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