Hendrick Motorsports is looking to hit the ground running in the 2025 season! Well, while the Cup Series events are not giving enough momentum to the team, Rick Hendrick is spreading his wings to envelop all ‘Cups’ he can get his hands on! In no way do we mean a comeback is not possible. Kyle Larson has already shown fans in 2021 what it looked like when he won 10 races and bagged the title for the team. But, looks like Mr. H is brewing something.
This weekend’s Homestead-Miami race will feature a stacked lineup of Hendrick-backed trucks, with Corey Day, Kyle Larson, and Rajah Caruth. But while Larson is gunning for a rare sweep, the real story might be about the driver who ‘isn’t’ making headlines. Could Rick Hendrick’s latest move be a subtle warning sign for one of his developmental prospects?
A look at Spire Motorsports’ 2025 Truck Series Strategy
The 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season is shaping up to be a pivotal one for Spire Motorsports as they field a strong lineup of trucks. With Corey Day, Kyle Larson, and Rajah Caruth all racing nearly identical Hendrick-backed trucks at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the organization is clearly investing in its future talent. However, they have taken it a step further by giving all the drivers identical paint schemes.
Eric Estepp couldn’t help but notice the fun side of the decision. He noted, “Good luck to the Spire spotters. Like they aren’t even changing the color of the roof number. They’re doing absolutely nothing to help their guys out.” Well, that’s true – the spotters indeed will have a difficult time identifying the drivers. Hope it doesn’t create confusion and affect their strategy calls during the race. But, it could go the other way round. It might be a Rick Hendrick masterstroke to warn young Caruth about something not very new to the sport, replacability.
It has been more than a year since Rajah Caruth won a Truck Series race. And, HMS never falls short of race-winning drivers in their team! If one does not perform, there might be a fair possibility of replacement. And why not? Public perception is slowly shifting about HMS and, it is concerning. Not many days ago, columnist Larry McReynolds said something about the team’s 2025 performance. “I just believe when it’s all said and done, regardless of who goes to the championship 4, regardless of who wins the championship, the most wins for the second year in a row will come from Hendrick Motorsports. I will say this, I bet you there’s one of them that goes winless in 2025.” Well, who could he be pointing towards? Let’s break it down.
Kyle Larson is a seasoned veteran and is gunning for a win in the Cup Series, Truck Series, and Xfinity Series races in just one weekend. Known for his versatility and skill on various track types, Larson’s presence in the race adds significant weight to Hendrick’s strategy. Estepp remarked, “Kyle Larson has a real shot to sweep all three races this weekend,” showcasing Larson’s potential to dominate and elevate Spire’s and Hendrick’s reputation across the formats.
Corey Day is another driver to watch closely this season. As a rising star, Day has been making waves in the Truck Series with impressive performances. His ability to adapt quickly and learn from experienced teammates like Larson could play a crucial role in his development. Estepp mentioned that “there are a couple of good young drivers in this race,” indicating that Day’s talent could shine through as he competes alongside established names.
However, the focus shifts to Rajah Caruth. Just the third Black driver to win at NASCAR’s national level, Caruth finds himself under pressure as he seeks to take the next step in his career. Estepp pointed out that it has been “over a year since he won a Craftsman Truck Series race.” This, naturally, raises concerns about his performance consistency. His first and only win came at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March. While Rajah Caruth has shown flashes of potential, he needs to capitalize on this opportunity at Homestead-Miami to demonstrate that he can compete at a higher level. The pressure is mounting as new talent like Corey Day emerges on the scene.
Corey Day – A rising star under pressure at Homestead-Miami
With Rick Hendrick keeping a close eye on his developmental prospects, Caruth must deliver strong results to secure his place within the organization. As Estepp noted, “If he doesn’t [perform], I mean, Corey Day… may be coming.” This statement serves as both encouragement and a warning for Caruth as he heads into an essential race weekend.
At just 19 years old, Day has already made a name for himself in the racing world. Recently, he won the pole for the Ecosave 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His impressive performance there included a lap of 177.702 mph, marking a milestone as his first career Truck Series pole.
Corey Day then followed up his pole-winning performance at Las Vegas with a victory in the Kubota High Limit Racing Series event. The win added momentum to his growing reputation as one of NASCAR’s brightest young talents. With Spire Motorsports backing him, Day is proving that he has the skill and determination to rise through the ranks and compete at the highest level.
Day’s background in dirt racing has been instrumental in shaping his driving style, which combines aggression with adaptability. He explained, “On dirt tracks, you see small quarter-mile bullrings and the big, fast half-mile tracks…the racing doesn’t change all that much. But on pavement, there’s so much more to learn.” His ability to transition from dirt to pavement has impressed many within NASCAR, and Homestead-Miami’s challenging track layout will test his growth as a driver.
As the race approaches, Corey Day’s performance, too, will be under intense scrutiny. With Spire Motorsports placing its trust in him and rivals like Caruth vying for their own breakthroughs, Day has a unique opportunity to shine. A strong result at Homestead-Miami could further cement his status as a rising star while signaling his readiness for bigger challenges ahead.
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