NASCAR Fans Outraged: Corey LaJoie’s Watkins Glen Crash Sparks Controversy Among Playoff Contenders

The Go Bowling at The Glen race started with a chaotic bang as Corey LaJoie triggered a major crash right on the first lap, disrupting the race for many drivers, including playoff hopefuls like Denny Hamlin. As the cars navigated the bus stop section of the track, LaJoie’s No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro clipped the rear of the No. 8 car, driven by Kyle Busch, which set off a chain reaction affecting multiple cars.

LaJoie, a 32-year-old driver for Spire Motorsports, is currently driving the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro, though his time with the team is coming to an end after this season. His future in NASCAR remains uncertain, but speculation is swirling about where he’ll land next.

In this incident, LaJoie’s tap on Busch’s car caused it to spin, and as it spiraled, Busch’s No. 8 car made contact with Christopher Bell’s No. 20, although Bell managed to escape with minimal damage. Denny Hamlin, driving the No. 11 car and aiming to secure his playoff spot, wasn’t so lucky. He collided with Busch’s car, which caused significant setbacks, pushing him far down the field.

Brad Keselowski, driving the No. 6 Ford Mustang, tried to avoid the chaos but couldn’t escape unscathed. While slowing down to avoid Busch’s spinning car, Keselowski got hit from behind by Ryan Blaney, further escalating the incident. Though Blaney and Keselowski are both playoff contenders, the damage was especially costly for Keselowski, who was forced to retire from the race. Meanwhile, the other drivers involved were able to continue, although their races were significantly affected.

Fans were not shy about sharing their displeasure with LaJoie. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) exploded with comments criticizing the driver. One fan simply called him a “menace,” while others expressed frustration, saying things like, “LaJoie is f***ing terrible!” and “Another certified Corey LaJoie banger,” dripping with sarcasm. Some fans went as far as calling for LaJoie to be removed from his car immediately, with one claiming, “They need to take LaJoie out of the car immediately. It’s getting ridiculous!” The negative sentiment continued as another fan added, “@CoreyLaJoie is literally the worst driver in NASCAR that includes ARCA,” while another questioned, “How can anyone defend LaJoie anymore?”

This wreck couldn’t have come at a worse time for the playoff drivers, as Go Bowling at The Glen is a crucial race in the Round of 16 of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. It’s also the first of two road courses on the playoff schedule, with the next one being the Roval 400 at Charlotte, the last race in the Round of 12. Every point counts for playoff contenders, and this race could have a lasting impact on their championship hopes.

Amidst all the controversy, rumors have been circulating about where LaJoie might land next season. There’s talk that LaJoie could be swapping seats with Justin Haley at Rick Ware Racing. If the speculation proves true, LaJoie could find himself driving the No. 51 Ford Mustang in the 2024 season. However, no official announcement has been made yet, and LaJoie’s future remains up in the air.

Despite the uncertainty, LaJoie seems optimistic about his prospects. Last month, in an interview with *The Athletic*, he expressed confidence that teams are interested in him and that opportunities will arise. “My phone’s going and people are interested in making calls,” LaJoie said. He added that the best opportunities in his career have come when the timing was right, and he expects the same to happen again. Whether his next move keeps him in the NASCAR Cup Series or takes him elsewhere remains to be seen, but LaJoie believes the right door will open when it’s supposed to.

As for the current standings at Watkins Glen, Corey LaJoie is surprisingly holding his own, running in second place. Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin is having a tough time, sitting in 34th place as he fights to keep his playoff hopes alive after a challenging 13th-place finish in Atlanta. The Glen race has proven to be full of unexpected twists and turns, much like LaJoie’s career trajectory as he faces an uncertain future in NASCAR.

In a sport where every decision, crash, and pass can make or break a season, LaJoie’s actions at The Glen have put him in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Whether he can shake off the criticism and find success in the future remains to be seen, but for now, he’s a driver surrounded by questions, both about his driving and his future in the sport. All eyes will be on him as the season progresses, and fans wait to see what happens next.