Corey LaJoie has announced that his journey with Spire Motorsports will come to an end at the close of the 2024 season. Revealed by Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic on Thursday, LaJoie’s exit has stirred speculation about his next move in NASCAR. His departure comes with a commitment to end his tenure on a high note, as he aims to “finish the remainder of 2024 strong,” according to his statement.
Reflecting on his time at Spire, LaJoie expressed a profound sense of achievement and anticipation for his future.
“I won’t be driving the 7 car next year.
“I take a lot of satisfaction from having an integral part of building Spire into a respectable team on the grid but unfortunately, the future won’t involve me,” he stated. LaJoie continued: “This chapter ends after Phoenix and I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for my family next.”
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As the racing community wonders where LaJoie will steer his career next, Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports points to Kaulig Racing and Rick Ware Racing as probable next stops, considering their open seats. Kaulig Racing, known for its dynamism, anticipates having two openings with Daniel Hemric potentially parting ways with the No. 31 Chevrolet, while Rick Ware Racing continues to evolve with talents like Kaz Grala and a consistently impressive Justin Haley.
Despite facing challenges in performance throughout his tenure with Spire, having secured only one top-10 finish in the current season and remaining winless in his 258 Cup Series starts, LaJoie’s marketability and experience in NASCAR’s elite series make him an appealing candidate for other teams.
Spire Motorsports’ co-owner, Jeff Dickerson, confirmed the seriousness of their decision not to renew LaJoie’s contract, highlighting the driver’s foundational role in the team’s development.
“Corey LaJoie has been a cornerstone of Spire Motorsports since 2021 and it would be impossible to overstate what he’s meant to this organization and how much I’ve agonized over this decision,” Dickerson remarked. The imminent crew chief changes and a reset also hint at significant transformations within the team as it aims for greater competitive success. “Corey put his heart and soul into this team. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work before we had a race shop, a toolbox or even our own cars. Those days, looking back, were so much simpler than where we are in our journey now. Back then, we just wanted to get to the racetrack. Today, we’re consumed with consistently battling for top-10 finishes and contending for wins in the near future.
He continued:
“With Ryan [Sparks] moving upstairs, and Rodney [Childers] coming in next season, the best thing for Spire Motorsports is a clean slate for the No. 7 car in 2025,” explained Dickerson. “Corey deserves a fresh look from another organization, too. And we’ll do everything we can to help him get another opportunity in the Cup garage. I believe in Corey and his ability to be successful in this sport and look forward to him using this as motivation to prove all his doubters wrong.”
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