Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet driver Corey LaJoie will not return to the team after the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, Spire Motorsports announced Thursday.
“Corey LaJoie has been a cornerstone of this organization since 2021, and I can’t overstate what he has meant to this organization and how much this decision has impacted me,” Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson said in a team statement.
“Corey started working on this team full steam ahead of us before we even had a toolbox, a race shop or even our own cars. Looking back, those days were a lot easier than the situation we’re traveling in now. Back then, we just wanted to get to the racetrack. Today, we’re always busy fighting for top-10 positions and future wins. There are always unknowns in racing, but I think we can all agree that this is a performance-driven industry that is not prevalent for a variety of reasons. All of these considerations are taken into account when making a decision of this magnitude. With Ryan Sparks’ progress and Rodney Childers joining next season, the best thing that could happen for Spire Motorsports is a fresh start with the No. 7 car in 2025. We are going to do everything in our power to give Corey what he is given; another chance to work in a Cup garage, because he deserves to be given a second chance by a different organization. I believe in Corey’s ability to be successful in this sport, and I hope he uses this as motivation to disprove all those who doubt him.
LaJoie drove in the NASCAR Cup Series for four years with Spire. He finished in the top 10 six times in 129 races, including three at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway. His best career finish was fourth place. Prior to joining Spire, the 32-year-old driver raced for BK Racing, TriStar Motorsports and GoFas Racing. He made his Cup debut in 2014. With four races remaining in the 2024 regular season, LaJoie sits 28th in the points standings.
The revelation was first reported by The Athletic, in which LaJoie said he would not be driving the No. 7 car next year. “I’m really proud to have played a key role in making Spier a respected starter team, but I don’t see myself being around for the future. We’re going to finish strong in 2024 and give something back to my partners, my colleagues who’ve worked so hard to create a great car, and my family and friends who’ve supported me since the start of the Cup Series.
After Phoenix, this chapter will close, and I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for my family in the future.” It’s been an active folly season for Spier, as the organization announced that Michael McDowell will drive the No. 71 Chevrolet next season, and crew chief Rodney Childers will drive the No. 1 Chevrolet following the end of Stewart-Haas Racing. The No. 7 will be leading the team this year.
