After signing a multi-year extension with Spire Motorsports last summer, Corey LaJoie was expected to stay with the team through the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. However, LaJoie recently confirmed he will not be returning for what would have been his fifth season in the No. 7 Chevrolet next year.
Spire Motorsports had already announced that Michael McDowell would join the team from Front Row Motorsports, replacing Zane Smith in the No. 71 Chevrolet. However, with LaJoie’s departure, Smith might remain with Spire Motorsports, although he has been linked to McDowell’s vacated seat at Front Row Motorsports. Smith, currently on loan from Trackhouse Racing Team, has had significant success with Front Row Motorsports in the Truck Series, including winning the 2022 championship.
Potential replacements for LaJoie include young Chevrolet drivers like Sam Mayer. However, a veteran presence such as Kyle Busch could also be in the mix. Busch, under contract with Richard Childress Racing through at least the 2025 season, has faced a challenging year, with no wins and a struggle to make the playoffs. His frustration with his current situation could make a move to Spire Motorsports appealing.
Busch sold the assets of his Kyle Busch Motorsports Truck Series team to Spire Motorsports after the 2023 season and has continued to race part-time in the Truck Series for Spire. This demonstrates both his commitment to the team and the team’s ambition to improve. With Stewart-Haas Racing’s crew chief Rodney Childers joining Spire Motorsports as the crew chief for the No. 7 team next year, pairing Childers with a driver of Busch’s caliber could be a game-changer.
Despite Spire Motorsports not being a front-running team, Busch’s potential move could elevate their performance. Given his ongoing struggles at Richard Childress Racing, Busch might find a new beginning with Spire Motorsports more appealing. Additionally, Busch’s recent comment to LaJoie about “payback” after an on-track incident at Pocono Raceway adds an intriguing layer to the possibility of Busch taking LaJoie’s ride.
While there is no concrete evidence that Busch is considering a move to Spire Motorsports, the rumors cannot be entirely dismissed. If the team has reason to believe Busch might be available, this could explain their decision to part ways with LaJoie ahead of schedule. As history has shown, even seemingly unlikely rumors can sometimes lead to significant changes in the NASCAR world.
