Corey LaJoie recently achieved a significant milestone in his nearly decade-long Cup Series career by securing his first top-10 finish on a non-drafting track. This accomplishment could potentially be his last standout moment as the driver of the #7 car for Spire Motorsports, as his future in the 2025 season remains uncertain.
While LaJoie’s performance at Darlington Raceway showed promise, it’s debatable whether he would have had a legitimate shot at the championship had he been in Chase Briscoe’s position during the final green flag run. Moreover, with the memory of a tense incident with Kyle Busch at Pocono still fresh, the thought of Busch closing in behind him likely didn’t offer much comfort for LaJoie.
Despite the mixed emotions surrounding his P9 finish, LaJoie didn’t hold back in his post-race interview with Stephen Stumpf from Frontstretch. His comments, however, have stirred up quite a reaction from fans, who seem less than impressed with the 32-year-old’s remarks.
Corey LaJoie’s Top-10 Finish and Bold Remarks
While Chase Briscoe made headlines by winning his first Southern 500 and securing a playoff spot, and Tyler Reddick claimed 23XI Racing’s first regular-season championship, LaJoie’s P9 finish at Darlington was a surprising highlight in a race filled with record-breaking achievements. This was LaJoie’s second top-10 finish of the season, following his P4 at the Daytona 500 earlier in the year. However, in the span between these two performances, LaJoie’s results have been largely underwhelming, with 17 finishes outside the top 20. Currently, he stands 32nd in the regular-season points standings.
In addition to his racing results, LaJoie has made headlines for less flattering reasons, such as sending Kyle Busch spinning at Pocono, resulting in Busch’s fifth DNF of the season, and flipping his car in Michigan, marking only his second DNF in 2024. Adding to his uncertain future, Spire Motorsports announced in July that LaJoie would not be driving the #7 car in 2025.
Given these circumstances, LaJoie’s comments after his P9 finish raised eyebrows. Speaking to Stephen Stumpf, he remarked, “We’ve been in plenty of spots in the top ten… There’s a lot of people chirping, 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.” It’s worth noting that before securing a top-10 finish at Darlington, LaJoie had finished 22nd and 23rd in the race’s earlier stages. But when the race took a chaotic turn under the lights, with four cautions in the last lap, the #7 car’s track position improved, leading to his notable finish.
With only ten races remaining in his partnership with Spire Motorsports, which began in 2021, LaJoie’s future in NASCAR remains uncertain. Earlier in the season, teams like Kaulig and Rick Ware Racing were mentioned as possible destinations for the Charlotte native in 2025. However, LaJoie’s bold comments at Darlington have left many in the NASCAR community questioning his humility, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding his career.
Fan Reactions to LaJoie’s Comments
LaJoie’s post-race remarks have not gone unnoticed by NASCAR fans, many of whom are less than sympathetic to his situation. The speculation about LaJoie’s potential departure from NASCAR has led to a variety of reactions, with some fans suggesting hypothetical future occupations for the son of Randy LaJoie, a two-time Busch Series champion.
When LaJoie’s video interview was shared on the NASCAR subreddit, one fan sarcastically commented, “Just put my chili’s in the bag bro,” mocking LaJoie’s confidence. Others expressed frustration that LaJoie couldn’t be humble after a rare good performance. A Reddit user with the moniker u/HermDog04 elaborated on this sentiment, saying, “This is exactly why people have soured on Corey… He finally, after 8 years in Cup, gets a top 10 on a non-drafting track and starts ‘chirping’. Bro, both of your rookie teammates have already done that MULTIPLE times this season.”
Some fans also criticized LaJoie for what they perceive as an oversized ego, citing his 2020 handwritten letter to Rick Hendrick requesting a shot at the #48 car after Jimmie Johnson’s retirement. One fan remarked, “Yeah, he has THAT big of an ego,” while another joked about his job prospects, saying, “Dude’s an idi-t. Uber doesn’t call when there’s a ride available. You have to claim it in the app.”
While LaJoie’s future in the Cup Series remains uncertain, there’s no denying his impact on Spire Motorsports during its formative years. Whether or not he continues in NASCAR, his absence will be felt if he’s no longer part of the series in 2025.
