NASCAR insiders react to Corey LaJoie's top-10 finish at Darlington
Corey LaJoie did something in Sunday’s Southern 500 at Darlington that he didn’t do in any of his previous 261 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series.
LaJoie finished ninth in the 367-lap, 500-mile marathon, notching his first career top-10 finish at a non-superspeedway. Before Sunday, LaJoie’s nine top 10s had come at Daytona, Talladega and Atlanta. And for a driver currently out of a job next season, you couldn’t ask for better timing. Speaking on “The Teardown” podcast following the race, Jeff Gluck of The Athletic said the top 10 at Darlington could be beneficial for LaJoie as he engages in discussions with teams over the next few weeks.
“Corey LaJoie, totally overshadowed in all the playoff talk we’re discussing and understandably so, P9,” Gluck said. “First non-superspeedway top-10 in Corey LaJoie’s career. So, when the guy is looking for a job or talking to teams about a new ride, good timing. Corey LaJoie really needed that finish.”
Corey LaJoie gets a much-needed top-10 at Darlington
It’s no secret that LaJoie, 32, has had a tough final season with Spire Motorsports, who announced in July he wouldn’t return to the team in 2025. He sits 32nd in the points standings through 26 races and has seen rookie teammate Carson Hocevar consistently outrun him. But at the Track Too Tough to Tame, LaJoie and co. found some speed and stayed out of other drivers’ messes.
Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic said there were a lot of happy folks from the 7 team on pit road, including crew chief Ryan Sparks.
“Lot of happy people from the 7 team on pit road. Ran into his crew chief Ryan Sparks on pit road and Ryan, it’s been a goal of his to have a top-10 finish at a non-drafting track. They checked that box and the year they’ve had and the frustration that they’ve had has been the unfulfilled promise. They’ve had fast cars at times and haven’t gotten the finishes. Good for them. And they did it here [at Darlington] and that’s no easy feat.”
To this point, there’s been no indication as to where LaJoie will be racing next season. Cup opportunities are scarce as Silly Season enters the late stages, and LaJoie’s performance hasn’t exactly wowed, that is, until Darlington. Perhaps that will be enough to keep him in NASCAR’s premier series for at least another season.
“There’s a lot of people chirping,” LaJoie said after the race. “But nonetheless, I’m gonna get paid for that place tonight and my phone’s gonna keep ringing when people want me to drive their car.”