Corey LaJoie discusses Spire swap with Justin Haley, calls it a career-saving chance amid 2025 NASCAR uncertainty

Corey LaJoie has critiqued Spire Motorsports on the mid-season swap with Justin Haley. LaJoie calls the move a career-saving chance amid uncertainties on his future considering he is not signed for 2025.

LaJoie is a 33-year-old Concord native who is now the sole driver at Rick Ware Racing. After spending four years with Spire Motorsports, he swapped seats with Justin Haley, who is teaming up with Carson Hocevar and Zane Smith.

On his Stacking Pennies podcast, Corey LaJoie acknowledged Spire Motorsports and its owner, Jeff Dickerson, for allowing him to continue his NASCAR Cup Series career at Rick Ware Racing.

“Lot of grace from Spire and Dickerson to allow me to go do it. I think that them allowing me to go to the 51 helps me and my career progress, further it goes,” said LaJoie. [1:19]

The now No. 51 RWR Ford Mustang Dark Horse driver expressed his excitement working with the team members, adding:

“But now I get to earn my chance and integrate with that team and work with Chris Lawson, and Tommy Baldwin, and Robby Benton, and Rick Ware, like there’s a lot of motivated hungry guys that have won a lot of races over there that I’m excited to go race with.”

While Corey LaJoie’s 2025 seat has yet to be determined, NASCAR veteran reporter Bob Pockrass said that the driver’s short stint with RWR will give the team time to make a decision. As of this writing, RWR President Robby Benton hasn’t committed to LaJoie yet.

“Rick Ware Racing's Robby Benton wouldn't commit to Corey LaJoie for beyond the rest of 2024. Said this will give them time to work with LaJoie before making a decision," Pockrass wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Corey LaJoie is joining Rick Ware Racing with one top-5 and three top-10 finishes this season. His best finish was a P4 finish at the Daytona 500 season opener. This was followed by a P9 finish at the regular season ender at Darlington marked as his first Cup Series top-10 on a non-drafting track.

The latest top-10 was recorded at Watkins Glen with a P8 finish.

LaJoie has seven races to prove his place in the sport, with Kansas Speedway next on the calendar.

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Corey LaJoie crashes out on his final race with Spire Motorsports

During last week’s Bristol night race, Corey LaJoie was running in 11th when he made contact with Stewart-Haas Racing driver Josh Berry on lap 329. His No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro hit the wall and sustained significant damage, forcing a DNF at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile track.

In the same podcast episode, the driver explained his No. 7 Chevy had a good balance for the race. However, the car got loose after hitting a bump and lost control.

“One little moment, it’s been the story of the year, man. It freaking s**ks,” LaJoie said. [32:13]

The Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol is LaJoie’s last race with Spire Motorsports as he opens a new chapter with Rick Ware Racing.