What’s Happening?

Corey LaJoie finally broke his silence after being let go from Spire Motorsports, effective after the 2024 season. In a special episode of Stacking Pennies, LaJoie reflects with co-host Ryan Flores about what happened at Spire and tries to make sense of an uncertain future. Is LaJoie done driving a race car?

• Corey LaJoie had built up a reputation over the past few years as one of NASCAR’s lovable underdogs. He routinely drove equipment for smaller, underfunded race teams, and fans enjoyed the occasions when he recorded great finishes.
• He originally signed a multi-year contract with Spire Motorsports prior to the 2024 season. However, he has struggled mightily since the start of the season, routinely being outrun by rookie teammate Carson Hocevar. This preceded Spire’s decision during the Olympic break to drop LaJoie.
• LaJoie was very reflective in this podcast. He seemed very open to whatever may come to him next, even if that means not driving a race car from 2025 onwards.

Read Also:

Future Plans? TBD

LaJoie did not go into much detail about what happened at Spire and why they let him go, but he did go into detail about how he has been handling it mentally.

One thing is for sure when listening to this podcast. LaJoie has absolutely nothing lined up for 2025 and beyond.

However, he’s not panicked about it in any way, and he seems to be okay with whatever direction his life takes him, whether that is in the race car or out of the race car. He will lean on his faith for guidance on where to go next. However, he still believes he can bring value to a race team.

I feel like I’m top-15 guy any given Sunday, particularly on road courses, particularly on Speedways. We can give ourselves chance to win, and I feel like I can still give any team that would be willing to talk a chance to win as well. But, also, if that’s not in the cards, if that’s not where the Lord wants me, that’s not where he’s going to put me because it’s going to be blatantly obvious what the next thing is in store for my life. Whether that’s racing on Sundays or coaching t-ball on Wednesdays Mooresville, and both are not bad options.

Corey LaJoie

This is a realistic way for LaJoie to look at his current situation. The reality is that he was let go, does not have an exceptionally impressive driving resume, and there are not a lot of Cup Series seats available. It’s a real possibility that he won’t get an opportunity like this again, and he’s at least growing to accept that.

However, one place that many people have looked for LaJoie to find a ride is in the lower series like Xfinity or Trucks. Drivers like John Hunter Nemechek and Justin Allgaier have done so and have found great success, but LaJoie, while not against the idea, doesn’t seem optimistic that a ride will open up for him there for one major reason: funding.

There’s a lot of things outside my control there. I’m telling you, between 18 and 23 years old, there are 10 people that have more than $3 million to go buy a seat anywhere. The rides that are valuable are going to get bought by guys with money. Whether it’s a Cup car. Whether it’s a Truck. Whether it’s Xfinity, you know, you start going down the list. That’s been a question that I’ve had to answer about this time or later every single year for the last seven years.

Corey LaJoie

Funding plays a major role in every race car driver’s career. If a driver doesn’t bring funding, good results don’t always offset that, and bad results mean a career death sentence. Racing isn’t cheap; to make ends meet, drivers often need to foot part of the bill through good sponsorship.

It doesn’t sound like he brings as much funding as other drivers. He has obviously put together enough funding for the past few years to race, but will it be enough for any of the drivers available?

Will LaJoie race again after the 2024 season? It seems like something could open up for him, but he is open to every option available, whether inside or outside the race car. His family will be the people he will lean on in making that decision.

The only people that I have to answer to with what I decide to do with my life are the five people that are riding that motor home. Not people on Reddit. Not people on this podcast. Not people on SiriusXM Channel 90, as much as I love them. Nowhere else but the five people in that bus is the only thing that I’m going to direct my life. Whether that’s mental clarity. Whether that’s trying to get rid of stress. Whether it’s trying to be a competitor, and try to tune that back in. Or, whether it’s just to do something else. I don’t know, but I’m going to lean into discernment on that and make the best decisions for me and my family

Corey LaJoie

What do you think about all this? Let us know on Discord or X what your take is, and don’t forget you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and even YouTube.