Corey LaJoie reflects on 'wild week' after getting call to replace Chase Elliott

To say Corey LaJoie had an unexpectedly wild week ahead of Gateway would be putting it mildly.

While Chase Elliott’s suspension after his run-in with Denny Hamlin during the Coca-Cola 600 dominated headlines, a more heartwarming story is taking place in LaJoie’s camp. Due to Elliott’s misfortune, LaJoie is getting the chance of a lifetime to drive for Hendrick Motorsports, albeit for one race in Elliott’s stead.

However, LaJoie was almost kicking himself for missing a call from a number he didn’t have, later finding out it for me Rick Hendrick.

“I told my wife, I was like – ‘honey, I missed the call,’ ” LaJoie lamented, wondering if his opportunity just slipped by, per the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Thankfully, the old fashioned NASCAR team owner left a message on LaJoie’s voicemail, and all wasn’t lost for LaJoie.

“Hey Corey, it’s Rick Hendrick here,” said LaJoie, relaying Hendrick’s message. “Just wanted to let you know that I’m excited you’re filling in under this circumstance. Appreciate the help and I know you’re going to do us a good job.”

Nevertheless, it’s still a surreal feeling for LaJoie, even if he’s received Hendrick’s blessing. He can’t shake the thought that this is all a dream.

“It’s weird, man,” LaJoie said. “It’s like the dream is during the day right now,” regarding driving Elliott’s car, even if it’s for just one race.

It’s always been LaJoie’s dream to race for Hendrick Motorsports, but he’s been relegated to teams strapped for cash, or simply not on Hendrick’s level throughout his career. Still, he’s impressed with his ability to perform in lesser equipment, and LaJoie likened his chance on Sunday to playing a NASCAR video game.

“You’d start your career mode in the bottom team and then you’d get the call up to the next team and the next team,” LaJoie explained. “Then you’d get a notification on your phone from like Rick Hendrick to drive that car. That’s what I felt like laying in bed on Wednesday morning talking to the wife. I was like – my life is a video game right now.

“It’s just non-stop progression, failure and just falling short time and time again, but keep taking steps forward towards the goal of getting to the position that I’m in right now.”

Now if Corey LaJoie ends up in Victory Lane following Sunday’s race in Chase Elliott’s car, somebody might have to pinch him. He’ll have a ton of supporters at Gateway, as he finally gets his first real chance to prove himself.