By Seth Eggert, Associate Editor
Spire Motorsports has tabbed veteran Chase Purdy for their first full-time season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Purdy will drive the No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado in the team’s inaugural Truck Series season. However, it is not the first time the organization has competed in series. Over the past two seasons, Spire has competed in 22 Truck races, picking up two victories with William Byron and Kyle Larson at Martinsville Speedway in 2022 and North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2023 respectively.
The Meridian, MS native will be paired with veteran race engineer and crew chief Jason Trinchere. Trinchere has worked for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Spears Motorsports, and most recently Kaulig Racing. While at Kaulig he led A.J. Allmendinger to five victories, a Championship Four berth, and ultimately a fourth-place finish in points in 2021.
“Chase Purdy is really coming into his own as a driver and we think pairing him with a crew chief the caliber of Jason Trinchere will elevate his level of competitiveness immediately,” said Spire Motorsports President Doug Duchardt. “We put a lot of thought into putting Chase together with the right person and at the conclusion of that process, it was very clear that Jason is the person to lead the No. 77 team. This is a combination we expect to set a very high bar in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.”
For Purdy, the 2024 season marks his fourth consecutive season with a different team, moving from GMS Racing in 2021 to Hattori Racing Enterprises in 2022, and Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) last season. Spire bought KBM in late 2023.
With 75 career Truck starts, the 24-year-old has three top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. Purdy’s time with KBM proved to be a career year for the journeyman driver, earning three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes, along with two pole positions. With Spire’s purchase of KBM, the organization is continuing the legacy of one of the most successful Truck Series teams in history.
“I’m really excited to get going on 2024 with Spire Motorsports,” said Purdy. “Seeing what they’ve done in the last few years and the drivers they’ve had come through, being in that system makes me excited for the future. I’m more determined than ever. There are a few new people, Jason Trinchere, obviously being one of them, but, for the most part, we still have our same core group of guys so we’re looking to keep up that momentum from last year. I’m just really eager to get the new season started. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Purdy ended the season 11th in the points standings, best of those not in the playoffs. He also finished the season with back-to-back top-10 finishes, including a third-place in the season-finale at Phoenix Raceway.
“I am excited for 2024 and look forward to working with Chase and everyone at Spire Motorsports,” said Trinchere “Chase ended the season on a high note, showing speed and consistency, so I look forward to building on that momentum going into the new season.”
Purdy’s debut with both Trinchere and Spire Motorsports in the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona Int’l Speedway on Friday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.