Spire Motorsports is expanding further into the NASCAR National Series landscape as the organization announced via a press release on Tuesday that they will field a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry for the 2022 season.
Spire has added veteran leadership for the effort in the form of Mike Greci and Kevin “Bono” Manion.
“After spending the last three seasons establishing our footing in the NASCAR Cup Series, Spire Motorsports is eager to lean on Mike Greci’s leadership and build a competitive NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team,” commented Spire Motorsports co-owner T.J. Puchyr. “Mike’s resume speaks for itself. He’s a proven winner and excels at developing young talent. We’re fortunate to add someone as accomplished as Mike to our roster. Being able to complement him with an experienced, championship-winning crew chief in Bono Manion creates a foundation that we expect to be successful right out of the gate.
“There’s a tremendous amount of interest, enthusiasm and opportunity in the Camping World Truck Series. We’re excited to expand our team, create new jobs and make our mark in the Truck Series garage the Spire Motorsports’ way.”
Greci has served as the general manager for Hattori Racing Enterprises since the end of the 2016 season. With Hattori, Greci amassed 14 wins in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the team scored the Truck Series championship in 2018 with Brett Moffitt behind the wheel.
“I’m proud to join Spire Motorsports and take full advantage of the opportunity in front of us,” said Greci. “I’ve known both T.J. Puchyr and Jeff Dickerson (Spire Motorsports co-owners) for many years and I’m really impressed with how they go about their business. We’ll have an opportunity to develop some exciting young talent. Being able to pair a young driver with a crew chief as experienced as Bono Manion positions us to be competitive as soon as we hit the track.”
With Greci serving as the overall head of the truck team and driver development for the new Truck Series entry, Manion will serve as the crew chief. As a crew chief, Manion has scored five wins in NASCAR Cup Series competition, 17 wins and two championships in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition and he has seven wins in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, including three over the past two seasons as the crew chief for Zane Smith.
“This is an exciting opportunity to help build a new team and establish Spire Motorsports as a top-flight organization in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series,” offered Manion. “Building something from the ground up is the type of challenge that gets me out of bed in the morning. Collectively, we all envision this as a great opportunity to be competitive and give back to the sport that has given so much to all of us.”
No driver or sponsors were announced on Tuesday, the team states their driver, sponsor and schedule will be announced once those plans are finalized.
