Corey LaJoie, currently driving for Spire Motorsports, and Justin Haley, racing full-time for Rick Ware Racing (RWR), are both key figures in the NASCAR Cup Series. Recently, a major change was announced that will shake up both teams. Back in July, it was revealed that LaJoie would not be returning to Spire for the 2025 season, setting the stage for a significant switch between the two drivers.
Starting with the upcoming race at Kansas Speedway, LaJoie will move to Rick Ware Racing, while Haley will take the wheel at Spire Motorsports. This unexpected team swap has fans buzzing and speculating about the future of both drivers. Despite the shift, LaJoie’s tenure at RWR beyond the 2024 season remains uncertain, with no official long-term agreement in place.
The switch wasn’t without some drama. A lawsuit was filed last week against Rick Ware Racing by a company that had an agreement for Haley to drive for RWR on a two-year deal. However, Haley’s departure from the team before that contract was fulfilled sparked legal action. With LaJoie’s move to RWR now confirmed, the lawsuit has been dropped, clearing the way for the driver swap.
Robby Benton, president of Rick Ware Racing, spoke highly of Haley, acknowledging his significant contributions to the team. Benton emphasized that Haley had approached the team during the Olympic break with a new long-term opportunity that would better serve his career. Understanding Haley’s ambition, Benton and the team agreed to release him from his contract, even though Haley had been instrumental in RWR’s growth since his commitment early last year.
Benton also expressed optimism about LaJoie joining RWR, stating that LaJoie’s desire to continue progressing in the NASCAR Cup Series aligned with the team’s goals. These final seven races of the season offer a unique opportunity for both LaJoie and RWR to explore what they might achieve together moving forward. Benton believes that LaJoie’s determination to win fits perfectly with the team’s future aspirations.
As for Haley, his shift to Spire Motorsports brings a different kind of excitement. Haley has a long history with Spire, having been instrumental in putting the team on the map with his win at Daytona. Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire Motorsports, reflected on the impact Haley had on both his own career and the growth of Spire. While both Haley and the team have evolved since his last stint with them, this reunion feels timely and strategic for everyone involved.
Dickerson also expressed his gratitude for LaJoie’s contributions to Spire Motorsports, calling him a cornerstone of the organization. LaJoie’s hard work and relentless drive elevated the team and brought out the best in everyone around him. With LaJoie now moving to RWR, Dickerson believes that Spire will benefit from Haley’s return. He’s confident that getting Haley back behind the wheel now, rather than waiting until 2025, gives the team an advantage as they prepare for next season, especially with the Daytona race in February looming large.
While the driver swap is the most immediate headline, there’s also big news in the background. Recently, Spire Motorsports made waves by purchasing a NASCAR charter for a record-breaking $40 million. This acquisition signals Spire’s commitment to staying competitive and ambitious as they move forward.
In a sport where stability and long-term planning are rare, these driver moves are notable not just for the teams involved but for the larger NASCAR landscape. LaJoie and Haley’s career trajectories are taking bold new turns, and both Spire and RWR have the potential to grow and evolve as a result of these changes. The final races of the 2024 season will be closely watched to see how LaJoie settles into his new role with RWR and how Haley re-establishes himself at Spire.
For now, both drivers and teams seem poised for what could be exciting new chapters in their NASCAR journeys. Whether LaJoie continues with RWR beyond 2024 or Haley makes an immediate impact with Spire remains to be seen. What is clear, though, is that both teams are taking calculated risks to build a brighter future.
