Corey LaJoie didn’t think he made ‘bonehead move’ in Kyle Busch wreck at Pocono
In the final stage of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway, Corey LaJoie got into the back of Kyle Busch and spun him out. LaJoie and his team didn’t have much remorse for what happened, either.
In a race that Ryan Blaney won without much flair or drama, there was plenty of drama in the back half of the field. Both Corey LaJoie and Kyle Busch have struggled this season. The two came together to cause quite the wreck today.
LaJoie went low to get to the inside of Busch. The 8 car blocked, then blocked a second time. LaJoie didn’t lift and sent Busch right around and out of the race.
After the race, Corey LaJoie was questioned by the media. He explained how he experienced the incident.
“I got a big push from the 16, when you’re 20th back there it’s in the hornet’s nest and you’re seven-wide into [Turn] One,” LaJoie explained, via Frontstretch. “If you’re not the guy on the bottom, somebody else behind you is going to jam it in there and put you freaking middle, right? So, I had a bit of a run the 16 gave me a big shot, I got to the left rear of the 8 and he blocked it once and I just kind of held the wheel straight and I was almost anticipating our bumpers kind of lining up and giving him a little bit of a shove but when he blocked the second time it just turned him across my nose. I hate that I tore up some good cars.”
Corey compared the Busch wreck to one earlier this season. The 7 car got into the back of the 84 car of Jimmie Johnson at Kansas. That was a peculiar wreck as well.
Corey LaJoie blames second block for Kyle Busch wreck
Corey LaJoie was then asked about the emotion on the radio. His team did not mince words about Busch. In fact, they blamed Busch for the incident on the radio. LaJoie kept his cool for the most part.
However, the Spire Motorsports driver let things slip a little at the end. LaJoie clearly doesn’t feel at fault for the wreck. He doesn’t like that it wrecked other cars. But he won’t be apologizing to the 8 team, I don’t believe.
“I mean, it’s a very emotional sport because you pour your heart and soul each and every week and you live and die by the results next to your name whether you like it or not,” the driver said. “That’s just how you’re defined and that’s how you’re ranked, it’s a competitive-based business.
“The 7 team hasn’t had a great year, the 8 team hasn’t had a great year, so any time the day doesn’t finish how you want to you’re going to be frustrated and I understand. I’m sure he’s mad. I’m sure there were guys that got caught up that was made, but I didn’t feel like it was a bonehead move. I had a run, I got to the left rear, he blocked it twice, and the second time it spun his ass out.”
Corey LaJoie went on to finish P19. It is his second top-20 finish in the last three races. If this team can take any positives back to the shop, they will. It has been a long season. Good news, Rodney Childers is joining the 7 team in 2025. That could give them just what they need to take the next step.