Corey LaJoie is in a vulnerable situation as 2025 gets underway. The 34-year-old driver has no fixed ride now that his four-year contract with Spire Motorsports is over. LaJoie’s career has been a combination of potential, underperformance, and scandal, prompting doubts about whether he’s just outmatched at NASCAR’s highest level or if he’s just a victim of bad luck, even though his family’s history in motorsports looms large.
A Positive Beginning
There is no denying LaJoie’s racing heritage. He was raised by his father, Randy, a two-time NASCAR Busch Series winner, and his grandpa, Don, a member of the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame, after being born into the LaJoie racing family in Concord, North Carolina. Corey appeared to be the next in line to continue on the family tradition because of his early success in karting, Bandoleros, and ARCA racing.
The Chapter on Spire Motorsports
There were some promising moments during LaJoie’s time at Spire. At prestigious courses like Atlanta, Talladega, and Daytona, he recorded career-best fourth-place results in addition to three top-five and six top-ten finishes. More significantly, he contributed to the growth and stabilization of a young team, helping it to acquire the Truck Series assets of Kyle Busch Motorsports and develop to three full-time entrants.
However, LaJoie’s performance leveled down as Spire rose. Compared to rookie teammate Carson Hocevar, who had seven top tens and one top five in 2024, he only scored three top tens and one top five. His problems were exacerbated by criticism from teammates like Denny Hamlin and Ryan Preece, who described him as a gifted driver who had trouble staying disciplined and consistent.
The Repercussions and Prospects for the Future
These difficulties reached a climax in August 2024 when Spire declared it would be splitting from LaJoie. He took over Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51 Ford in the middle of the season after switching seats with Justin Haley. Although LaJoie finished in a respectable 15th place at Kansas and 14th in Las Vegas during his rookie season in the RWR car, his overall performance was tainted by five DNFs and numerous inspection penalties. There is still hope for LaJoie in spite of these setbacks. By strengthening its workforce and establishing a technical partnership with RFK Racing, Rick Ware Racing is making significant investments in its program. If he can get past the difficulties and provide steady results, LaJoie’s track record of assisting smaller teams in their growth might be a strength.
A Watershed Moment
The challenges of succeeding in NASCAR are reflected in Corey LaJoie’s journey. There is no denying his innate talent and familial heritage, but obstacles—some self-inflicted—have prevented him from realizing his full potential. The question of whether Corey LaJoie can succeed by reinventing himself or if the sport has moved on from him is still present as the NASCAR community watches his next move. 2025 might be the year that determines LaJoie’s future in NASCAR—or the end of the road—as teams like RWR continue to weigh their choices.
