CONCORD, N.C. – Josh Bilicki will drive the Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for most of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule beginning with February’s WISE Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway.
Zeigler Automotive Group will serve as the primary sponsor for the bulk of Bilicki’s races and will be featured prominently aboard the No. 77 Chevrolet for the entire season.
Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 78 franchises across 35 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all the domestic and majority of the imported manufacturers.
“Zeigler Auto Group is proud to have Josh Bilicki represent Team Zeigler on the track,” said Aaron Zeigler, President of Zeigler Automotive Group. “He is an outstanding individual and talented driver who embodies everything that our P.R.I.D.E. mission statement stands for: Passion, Reputation, Integrity, Drive, and Execution.”
Bilicki, a Menomonee Falls, Wis., native, comes to Spire Motorsports with 71 starts on his NASCAR Cup Series resume, including a top-10 finish in last year’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona Int’l Speedway. Meanwhile, the 26-year-old veteran racer has logged 72 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and nine in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
“Spire Motorsports is thrilled to add a young, talented and resourceful racer like Josh Bilicki to our stable,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner T.J. Puchyr. “Josh is cut from the same cloth as the people who make up our team. He’s a grinder. He finds a way, goes out and gets it done. He’s going to be a great compliment to Corey LaJoie in our No. 7 car. We’re proud to welcome Josh to the Spire family.”
Bilicki is part of a revered fraternity of Wisconsin-bred racers who went on to compete at NASCAR’s highest level, including the late Alan Kulwicki and Dick Trickle, Ted Musgrave and 2003 Cup Series Champion Matt Kenseth.
Bilicki competed full time on NASCAR’s top circuit last season with Rick Ware Racing.
“I couldn’t be more eager to start this new chapter of my career and join Spire Motorsports for the 2022 season,” said Bilicki. “I learned a great amount last year during my first full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series, on and off the track and I feel that experience will help me make this transition to a new team. Spire Motorsports has taken big leaps over the last few years, and we feel the platform of the new NextGen car will improve our performance all around.
“Of course, none of this would be possible if it weren’t for all my great partners, family, and friends who believe in me and pushed me to achieve more. For 2022, Zeigler Auto Group stepped up and that organization is the core reason I am back in the Cup Series. This is something we are working to grow into a multi-year effort.”
J.J. Yeley wheeling the Spire Motorsports' No. 77 Chevrolet during the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season (HHP/Harold Hinson Photo)