TC Daily Pit Stop: Zeigler Auto Group Returning to Spire Motorsports; Justin Alexander Joins LEGACY MOTOR CLUB; Baltazar Leguizamon Lands Part-Time O'Reilly Deal
TC Daily Pit Stop: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Zeigler Auto Group Returns to Spire Motorsports for 11 Races in 2026
Zeigler Automotive Group will continue its multi-year relationship with NASCAR Cup Series team Spire Motorsports for the 2026 season, the team confirmed on Monday.
The Michigan-based group of automotive dealers will adorn the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro, piloted by third-year standout Carson Hocevar, in a total of 11 events throughout the season.
Zeigler.com and Zeigler Auto Group will be showcased on the Spire Motorsports entry for the first time in 2026 at Bowman-Gray Stadium for The Clash on February 1, followed by a schedule of 10 points-paying events that begins at Michigan International Speedway in June.
The company’s distinctive yellow, black, and white paint scheme will adorn the No. 77 Chevrolet in events at Pocono (June 14), Chicagoland (July 5), Atlanta (July 12), Indianapolis (July 26), Iowa (August 9), Richmond (August 15), Bristol (September 19), Kansas (September 27), and Martinsville (November 1).
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Justin Alexander Joins LEGACY MOTOR CLUB as Shot-Caller for Erik Jones
LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has tapped Justin Alexander, a long-time crew chief for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), to serve as the shot-caller for Erik Jones and the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series campaign.
Alexander will take over the position previously held by Ben Beshore, who had been working with Jones and LEGACY M.C. to bring the No. 43 back to the front of the field since the end of the 2024 season, a pairing that resulted in four top-fives and five top-10s.
Beshore, a two-decade veteran in the industry, will remain with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB as part of a strategic competition restructuring for the upcoming season, with a new title as Director of Race Engineering.
“We’re continuing to evolve and refine every part of our race program, and Justin is a tremendous addition to our crew chief lineup,” said Jimmie Johnson, owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. “His experience, communication style, and leadership align perfectly with the direction we’re headed. We appreciate Ben’s hard work and look forward to his continued contributions as he transitions into his new role.”
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Baltazar Leguizamon Running Multi-Race O’Reilly Schedule for Barrett-Cope Racing
Baltazar Leguizamon will compete part-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, partnering with the newly rebranded Barrett-Cope Racing to drive the No. 30 Chevrolet.
The 25-year-old driver will be making his first start of the campaign at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in late February, the same Austin, Texas-based road course that Leguizamon debuted at last Spring for Joey Gase Motorsports — finishing 37th.
Leguizamon will then return for at least two additional events in NASCAR’s second-tier division, running at Martinsville Speedway (March 28) and Watkins Glen International (May 9). The Argentinian driver will look to add more events to his schedule, in hopes of picking up his full NASCAR license by season’s end.
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Other NASCAR Headlines:
Defending Champ Larson Getting Refreshed Valvoline Scheme for 2026
Matt Weber Promoted to Crew Chief for Jeremy Clements Racing
Carl Long Says Casey Mears ‘Lined Up’ For 2026 Daytona 500 With Garage 66
Michael Printup, Racing America COO and Former WGI President Dies
Denny Hamlin Gives Update of Mother’s Health Following Deadly Fire
Kyle, Owen, Audrey Larson Take Wins Tuesday (On Two Sides of The World)