Stephen Doran, Luke Lambert to Serve as Crew Chiefs for Spire Motorsports in 2024

Spire Motorsports has officially filled out its crew chief lineup for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, with the announcement Wednesday of the organization's selections, Stephen Doran and Luke Lambert.

Doran, who has worked with Kevin Harvick, Rodney Childers, and the No. 4 team at Stewart-Haas Racing since its inception in 2014, will serve as the crew chief of Zane Smith, who will drive the No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro.

Luke Lambert, a veteran crew chief in the NASCAR Cup Series, will reunite with Carson Hocevar to lead the No. 77 team in 2024, after an eight-race stint at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB to end last season, which garnered some impressive results.

"Stephen Doran and Luke Lambert are veterans of the sport, exemplary individuals and we're thrilled to welcome them both to Spire Motorsports," said Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire Motorsports. "Stephen is an accomplished racer who earned this position through practical knowledge, hard work and success. He's been a part of championship-caliber teams in the past and we're confident that he'll play a significant role in helping Spire Motorsports continue to raise our competitive bar."

Doran's opportunity with Spire Motorsports is his first as a crew chief in the NASCAR Cup Series, to which the NASCAR veteran says that he's already been impressed with Smith, in their limited time working together.

"I didn't know Zane [Smith] personally, but when I started to go through his career, I noticed he's consistently won in everything he's raced and made the most of every opportunity he's had along the way," said Doran. "Zane and I have talked a lot lately and I think this is going to be a great fit. Our personalities mesh well and I think communication will be great on and off the rack. I knew right away in our first meeting he was the guy I wanted to do this with. He has all the intangibles that make an elite driver in the Cup Series. I am grateful for this opportunity and think Zane and this No. 71 team will create a lot of excitement and turn some heads in 2024.”

Smith is a nine-time winner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series who recently completed his fourth full-time season, which included a championship and four post-season appearances.

Doran moved from Butler, Pennsylvania to Level Cross, North Carolina in 2006 to start his career at Petty Enterprises. Since 2012, the 38-year-old has worked for Stewart-Haas Racing, and has been a member of the No. 4 team since 2014.

The No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro is a collaboration between Spire Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing for the 2024 season. In September, Trackhouse announced a multi-year driving agreement with Smith and its aim to run three full-time NASCAR Cup Series entries in 2025.

Image Courtesy of Spire Motorsports

Lambert, 41, makes his way to Spire Motorsports in 2024 from LEGACY MOTOR CLUB where he guided the organization's No. 42, connecting with Hocevar when he competed in eight of the final 10 events in 2023.

Before his time at LEGACY MC, Lambert made an impact in the Xfinity Series, where he led Noah Gragson to three poles, eight wins, and 21 top-five results in 2021. The Mount Airy, North Carolina native has also spent time as crew chief for Roush Fenway Racing and Richard Childress Racing.

In 2014, Lambert led Ryan Newman to a runner-up finish in the 2024 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, after shocking the world with a berth into the 'Championship 4'.

"Luke Lambert is a complete professional and highly regarded competitor who has worked with Carson in the past," said Jeff Dickerson. "His demeanor and ability to connect with his drivers is what makes him a perfect fit. He has worked directly with Ryan Sparks previously, so that points directly to the synergy we’re looking for amongst our competition group.”

Hocevar, 20, made his debut for Spire Motorsports in the June 4 event at WWT Raceway and has made eight more starts at NASCAR's top level since, scoring a career-best 11th-place result at Bristol, after running inside the top-five.

“I’m thrilled to join the men and women at Spire Motorsports and be part of everything they’re building,” said Lambert. “Carson Hocevar has shown tremendous potential and that was apparent during our time together last year. He knows how to get the most out of his race car and how to communicate effectively with his team. I’m looking forward to working with him again in this new capacity and building on our experience with one another.”

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series campaign will mark the beginning of a new journey for both Doran and Lambert, as they attempt to capitalize on the momentum built by Spire Motorsports both on and off-track in recent months.