What’s Happening?

In one of the most shocking NASCAR Silly Season developments of the year, Spire Motorsports has dropped its’ longest-tenured driver, Corey LaJoie. LaJoie told Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic that he would leave the team following the 2024 season finale at Phoenix. With that in mind, the next question quickly becomes, where does LaJoie go?

• Corey LaJoie is a NASCAR Cup Series veteran with 258 starts but hasn’t had much notable success at the Cup level. He has yet to record a top-10 finish on a non-superspeedway and has not won a race.
• This move, which happened fairly late in the game, means that LaJoie’s options regarding where he could go in 2025 might be limited. He has much competition for the few remaining Cup Series seats.
• This means that he may have to look at the lower series for a ride. However, does he bring enough funding for another race team to pick him up?

Rick Ware Racing – Cup

Rick Ware Racing has progressed this season after signing Justin Haley and starting a technical alliance with RFK Racing. With their second seat still an “All-Star Car,” could they sign veteran Corey LaJoie? It would take a lot of funding, something we’re uncertain how much he has.

Gainbridge, a Spire sponsor, has sponsored LaJoie in 10 of 22 races this season. Could Chili’s or Celsius join LaJoie someplace like RWR? Maybe, but Lajoie’s 2024 struggles could make this a hard sell.

Kaulig Racing – Cup or Xfinity

Kaulig Racing is in a similar boat to RWR. They only have one full-time Cup Series driver, but unlike RWR, the 2025 plans are up in the air across the board. LaJoie could be in the Cup or Xfinity Series with the team.

Again, funding is an issue for LaJoie, and Kaulig could have a crowded bunch in 2025. Any current Kaulig drivers could stay where they’re at, meaning nothing would open up for LaJoie. Time will tell where this goes.

Haas Factory Team – Xfinity

Another Xfinity Series ride to watch is the Haas Factory Team. With Cole Custer moving up to Cup and Riley Herbst potentially doing the same, this team could have two openings. Even if Hailie Deegan joins, a seat is still open.

The difference with this ride for LaJoie is that he will be expected to compete for wins. He’s always been an underdog throughout his career, and the one time he drove in top equipment, Hendrick Motorsports at Gateway in 2023, went terribly. Does he have what it takes to compete for wins in top equipment?

Joe Gibbs Racing – Xfinity

Joe Gibbs Racing fielded four cars with a host of Xfinity Series drivers for 2024. Could LaJoie find a place here, whether part-time or full-time? It’s certainly possible, but he has a lot of competition.

Martin Truex Jr. will almost certainly compete a few times. William Sawalich will be old enough to compete full-time in 2025, and it doesn’t seem like Sheldon Creed or Chandler Smith are going anywhere.

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing – Trucks

According to Bob Pockrass, Christian Eckes is a candidate to fill the final Front Row Motorsports Cup Series seat. Should that happen, at least one seat will open up at McAnally-Hilgemann. A team that fields an “All-Star Truck” as well that LaJoie’s Spire teammate Zane Smith made five starts this season.

Maybe that connection is enough for LaJoie to get an opportunity. However, this would be a big step down from being a full-time Cup Series driver.

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