Spire Crew Chief Ryan Sparks “Unavailable” due to COVID-19 Protocols, Steve Letarte On Pit Box for LaJoie

Spire Motorsports has confirmed that multiple members of the No. 7 team will not be in Miami due to COVID-19.

Ryan Sparks, crew chief for Corey LaJoie, will not be available for Homestead-Miami, adhering to the current NASCAR COVID-19 protocols.

Official Statement from Spire Motorsports. pic.twitter.com/cXnlZlfazD

— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) February 24, 2021

As a result, Steve Letarte, a winning crew chief with Jeff Gordon, Dale Jr., and NBC Sports analyst, will get back on top of the pit box for Corey LaJoie this weekend for the Dixie Vodka 400.

Accumulating 15 wins over his career, including a 2014 Daytona 500, Letarte has been serving as a consultant for Spire as the team expanded in 2021.

The announcement serves for this weekend only, however, it’s entirely possible LaJoie could be without Sparks again should he not test negative and meet NASCAR guidelines.