Spire, Rick Ware Racing announce NASCAR driver 'trade' of Corey LaJoie, Justin Haley for rest of 2024 season
Spire Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing announced during Friday’s joint press conference at Bristol Motor Speedway that drivers Corey LaJoie and Justin Haley will swap teams for the remainder of the 2024 season.
It’s essentially a driver “trade,” as LaJoie will pilot RWR’s No. 51 Ford, while Haley will be behind the wheel of Spire’s No. 7 Chevrolet. The move starts next Sunday at Kansas. Spire confirmed that Haley will drive for Spire in 2025, while it remains to be determined if LaJoie will be with RWR next season. RWR president Robby Benton called it a good opportunity to work with LaJoie for the final seven races of the season as the team evaluates its plans for next season. Benton added the deal came together in the last 36 hours.
LaJoie, 32, has had a tough final season with Spire, though the results have picked up recently. In his last three starts, he has finished P9, P15 and P8 at Darlington, Atlanta and Watkins Glen, respectively. The top 10s at Darlington and Watkins Glen were his first ever in the Cup Series at a non-superspeedway.
Corey LaJoie, Justin Haley get fresh starts in NASCAR Cup Series
Haley, 25, became of high interest to several teams during Silly Season. Even with a year remaining on his contract at RWR, it always appeared 2025 would bring along a better opportunity. Haley has raced his way to ninth place finishes at the Darlington spring race and Gateway this season. Rodney Childers, one of the most accomplished crew chiefs in the sport who signed a multiyear deal with Spire in July, will serve as Haley’s crew chief next season.
“Having someone like Rodney behind you and supporting you on the pit box is one of the biggest motivations you can have as a driver and a team. I’m really looking forward to working with Rodney,” Haley said, via Kelly Crandall of RACER/ESPN. “He brings a lot to the table, especially for a younger driver like me. He had lots of success with Kevin [Harvick] for several years, and I feel like we have similar aspects to each other.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what he has to say and how he approaches a race weekend. Obviously, every crew chief prepares and executes the weekend differently, so I’m ready to absorb all I can from him.”