Corey LaJoie out at Spire Motorsports in 2025
MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Corey LaJoie confirmed to The Racing Experts that he will not drive for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025.
“I won’t be driving the 7 car next year. 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,” LaJoie said in a statement provided to TRE.
LaJoie learned of Spire Motorsports’ decision Wednesday, according to The Athletic. Since 2021, he has improving several key metrics of the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro each year. That includes Top-5s, Top-10s, laps led, average finish and races finished.
Last year, LaJoie earned two Top-5 finishes, three Top-10s and led 66 laps. He also finished every race (career-high), ranked 25th in points (career-high) and had an average finish of 20.8 (career-high).
This year, LaJoie has slid to 28th in points so far. He also has an average finish of 22.7 and 32 fewer points earned after 22 races (356 vs. 324).
LaJoie has also drawn criticism, notably from Kyle Busch. Busch heavily criticized LaJoie on the Pat McAfee Show after a wreck earlier this month at Pocono Raceway.
Despite the recent woes, LaJoie has been a major part of Spire Motorsports’ rise, as co-owner Jeff Dickerson pointed out.
“It would be impossible to overstate what he’s meant to this organization and how much I’ve agonized over this decision,” 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.”
Rookie teammate Carson Hocevar has stepped up Spire’s game. Hocevar’s 19.4 average finish and 383 points earned to this point are new highs for the organization. His two Top-10 finishes were also the first for the organization on non-drafting tracks (Texas, Gateway).
While Zane Smith and his rookie team struggled to get the season going, he has picked up the pace. Compared to just two Top-20 finishes in the first 14 races, they have three Top-20s in the last four races – dating back to a near-win and second-place finish at Nashville Superspeedway.
Smith also has five Top-20s in the last eight races and has matched LaJoie’s points total in that span.
“In racing, there are always variables. But one thing we all know, is this is a performance-based business. And it just hasn’t been there for several reasons. All those reasons are factored in when it comes to making a decision of this magnitude,” co-owner Jeff Dickerson said. “With Ryan (Sparks) moving upstairs, and Rodney (Childers) coming in next season, the best thing for Spire Motorsports is a clean slate for the No. 7 car in 2025.”
Dickerson reiterated their support for LaJoie, however.
“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,” Dickerson said.
LaJoie said he remains committed to finishing out the season with his team.
“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,” he said. “This chapter ends after Phoenix and I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for my family next.”
Just two weeks ago, LaJoie expressed excitement for Spire Motorsports signing Rodney Childers as crew chief for his No. 7 team. The organization also listed LaJoie as a teammate to Michael McDowell for 2025 while making the announcement of McDowell’s signing earlier this year.
With the recent announcement, however, it’s clear that things have changed.
There is no word on who will drive the No. 7 Chevrolet next year. Michael McDowell will take over the No. 71 Chevrolet that Zane Smith is driving next year. Carson Hocevar is expected to return to the No. 77 Chevrolet.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com