Chili’s is sponsoring Spire Motorsports in 2026 and beyond, the team announced Jan. 13.
The restaurant chain will sponsor the team in multiple NASCAR Cup Series races in 2026, beginning with Circuit of the Americas aboard Carson Hocevar‘s No. 77.
The rest of its schedule, as well as the length of the agreement, was not revealed.
“The team at Chili’s has really become students of the game,” Hocevar said in a team release. “I think the Ride the ‘Dente look was one of the cleanest and most iconic schemes of the season, and it feels like we’re becoming one of the most talked about team and partner relationships in the garage.
“I’m really excited to build on that in 2026. Every race we were in the Chili’s colors, we were really fast, and our plan is to give back to their commitment by getting them a lot of TV time up front, and hopefully in victory lane.”
“I am infinitely thankful for the relationship Spire Motorsports has built with Chili’s,” Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson added. “From what started as a one- or two-race opportunity, to where we find ourselves in 2026 is a true testament to Chili’s commitment to this platform. We’ve built a solid NASCAR Cup Series program with Carson and our No. 77 team and expanded the relationship to connect with our High Limit sprint car team and dirt late model project. We’ve had a pit road seat to their story too, so we truly appreciate how Chili’s has re-emerged as the go-to, casual dining destination across the country.
“We’re more than proud Chili’s has joined us on our mission to win races and compete for championships. We’ve enjoyed so much to this point and still have much to accomplish.”
Hocevar earned career highs in top fives (two) and top 10s (nine) in the Cup Series in 2025, finishing 23rd in points.
Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.
At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.