NASCAR insider names two potential drivers to replace Corey LaJoie at Spire Motorsports
The big news of the Olympic break has already dropped with Corey LaJoie announcing he will not return to Spire Motorsports in 2025. Instead, the NASCAR driver will try to find a new home, and Spire will look for his replacement.
With Corey LaJoie leaving Spire after this season, it adds another wrinkle to the Silly Season developments. After four years with Spire, the LaJoie experiment comes to an end.
So, who is going to fill that seat? We know that Spire will have Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar will be on the roster in 2025. Zane Smith is being moved out, he is on loan from Trackhouse this year.
According to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, there are a couple of names to keep in mind. A fan asked about Connor Zilisch possibly taking the ride. Trackhouse is likely going to get a year in Xfinity first, although he’s on the fast track to the Cup Series.
However, Pockrass names Justin Haley and Sam Mayer as drivers to keep an eye on to replace Corey LaJoie. Haley was with Spire in the past and Mayer has ties via Chevrolet.
Spire Motorsports is moving on from Corey LaJoie, but it all seems very abrupt. When the team hired Rodney Childers to crew chief for the 7 team next year, they named Corey in the release. Childers even put out a statement about being ready to work with Corey!
Now, that has all fallen apart.
Corey LaJoie not returning to Spire in 2025
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.