Justin Haley explains reasoning behind move from Rick Ware to Spire Motorsports

Today it was revealed that Justin Haley and Corey LaJoie are swapping places for the final seven races of the NASCAR Cup Series season. In 2025, Haley joins Spire full-time in the No. 7 and LaJoie might get a shot with Rick Ware Racing, depending on his results in this test run.

Justin Haley left Kaulig Racing to go to Rick Ware. In the No. 31 car last season, Haley earned six top-10s, highlighted by his runner-up finish at Chicago in the street race.

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This year, Haley earned the first two non-drafting track top-10 results ever for Rick Ware Racing. It is a team with an alliance with RFK Racing. One you could say is up and coming, staring to improve.

So, why is Haley going back to his first-ever Cup Series team? Well, he has good reason.

“It’s clear that Spire and HMS have a strong relationship, I think everyone in here knows that. But Jeff Dickerson called me and asked me to drive the 7 car for him and it’s a homecoming for me to be able to get back with Jeff and everyone at Spire Motorsports where I started my career,” Haley explained in his press conference, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “And race as hard as I do every weekend.

“Super thankful that Jeff Dickerson made the call to want me to drive his racecars again and everyone at Spire for giving me an opportunity. So, yeah, we’re going to go out there and do the best we can, obviously, that’s the goal and see where it takes us in the future.”

Justin Haley on the reasons he chose to move from Rick Ware Racing to Spire, a move that will start with next week’s race at Kansas. pic.twitter.com/QoAa9D84s5

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 20, 2024

So, what can we expect from these drivers in the swap? Well, it’s hard to tell until we see them. That isn’t a cop-out answer, either.

Justin Haley vs. Corey LaJoie – is it a fair trade?

In 2024, these two are separated by only 14 points right now. LaJoie leads, and that is likely due to his top-5 finish at Daytona this year. He also has a top-10 at Darlington and Watkins Glen.

In 2023, they finished P25 and P26 in the points overall, LaJoie just ahead of Haley by 10 points. So, is there a difference?

It feels like this trade is relying heavily on one thing – vibes. The idea, at least the way it looks to me, is that LaJoie will be a better fit at RWR. Haley will be a better fit at Spire. But what if that isn’t true?

Justin Haley and Corey LaJoie are more or less the same when you look at results. LaJoie is older, so Haley has more time to reach his full potential. But this is not a sure-thing for either of these drivers.