Corey LaJoie will not return to Spire Motorsports in 2025

In a shocking turn of events, Corey LaJoie is not going to return to Spire Motorsports for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. LaJoie announced the news in a statement of his own today.

Corey LaJoie has been with Spire Motorsports since the 2021 season. LaJoie is seen as a driving force in many of the strides the organization has taken since then. However, his performance in 2024 has left a lot to be desired.

In a statement released to The Athletic, LaJoie broke the news about his 2025 future.

“I won’t be driving the 7 car next year,” LaJoie said, via Jordan Bianchi. “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. 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.

“This chapter ends after Phoenix and I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for my family next.”

Despite having signed a two-year contract extension last year and Spire hiring Rodney Childers to crew chief the 7 car in 2025, Corey LaJoie is out.

This season, LaJoie has only a single top-10 finish, P4 at Daytona. His overall performance has fallen off as well. He hasn’t been able to get out of his own way, with spins and wrecks that are either a consequence of his track position or his own decisions.

Corey LaJoie improved each season he was with Spire between 2021 to 2023. This season, there was an expectation that he would make a jump. That has not happened.

Corey LaJoie moving on from Spire Motorsports

The expectations rose for 2024. Gainbridge and Group 1001 injected a ton of money into this organization. It was the reason why Spire expanded from two to three teams between last season and this one.

Add in the fact that Spire added two talented rookies, Carson Hocevar and Zane Smith. Smith is on loan via Trackhouse and had a rough start to the season. Even so, he’s raced better than LaJoie in the last two months.

The revelation is that Hocevar is really what has made LaJoie look not so great. Hocevar has two top-10s and has been a frequent guest in or around the top-15 in the last eight races this season. Add in the fact that Michael McDowell, a driver with two Cup Series wins, is coming next season to replace Smith and LaJoie is looking like the odd man out.

With Rodney Childers as crew chief of the flagship team at Spire, who do they put in the car? Christian Eckes is a talented Chevy prospect in the Truck Series. There is Jesse Love in Xfinity, but he’s with Richard Childress Racing. Speaking of RCR… could Kyle Busch buy himself out of his contract and make a move to the 7 car?

Whatever happens, we are going to find out soon enough, I’m sure. Who is your pick for the No. 7 Chevy Camaro?