NASCAR insider provides two potential landing spots for Corey LaJoie in NASCAR Cup Series for 2025
Corey LaJoie’s racing future is uncertain following his announcement Thursday that he will not return to Spire Motorsports in 2025.
It’s been a rough go for LaJoie this season, but will that deter other teams from giving him another opportunity in NASCAR‘s premier series? Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports offered two possibilities Thursday, mentioning Kaulig Racing and Rick Ware Racing.
Kaulig is expected to have two full-time openings in 2025. Daniel Hemric, who currently pilots the No. 31 Chevrolet, is not signed for next season. The No. 16 car, meanwhile, has seen multiple drivers in the seat this season, including AJ Allmendinger and Shane van Gisbergen. Kaz Grala currently operates the No. 15 Ford for Rick Ware, while Justin Haley has impressed in the No. 51. Haley is signed through next year but has attracted interest from other teams due to his performance. Sponsorship could play a big role in where LaJoie ends up, Pockrass noted.
Corey LaJoie reflects on Spire Motorsports tenure
In his statement announcing his exit from Spire, LaJoie said he aims to finish the 2024 season strong.
“I won’t be driving the 7 car next year,” LaJoie said, via Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic. “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. We will finish the remainder of 2024 strong, continuing to deliver for my partners, my guys who work hard to build good cars, family, fans & friends who have supported me since day one in the Cup Series.
“This chapter ends after Phoenix and I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for my family next.”
LaJoie, 32, sits 28th in the points standings through 22 races. He has tallied just one top-10 finish. In his previous three seasons with Spire, LaJoie finished 29th, 31st and 25th in the points standings, respectively. LaJoie is winless through 258 Cup Series starts with nine top 10s.
Spire Motorsports issues statement after parting ways with Corey LaJoie
Expectations were high for LaJoie in 2024, but it’s clear it just hasn’t worked out. Earlier this month, Spire hired Rodney Childers away from Stewart-Haas Racing to serve as the No. 7 team’s crew chief next season, a move which looked to be a lifeline of sorts for LaJoie. As we now know, LaJoie isn’t in Spire’s plans. They will now go about finding a driver to fill the void in 2025.
“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,” Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson said. “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.
“… With Ryan [Sparks] moving upstairs, and Rodney coming in next season, the best thing for Spire Motorsports is a clean slate for the No. 7 car in 2025. 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.”
