Who Will Take the Wheel of Spire Motorsports’ #7 Car in 2025? A New Era or a Familiar Face?
As NASCAR’s silly season heats up, one of the most pressing questions remains: who will drive the #7 car for Spire Motorsports in 2025? The seat has been left vacant after Spire parted ways with Corey LaJoie following four years of partnership. LaJoie had been a foundational part of Spire Motorsports, helping to build up the team, which made its debut in 2019. But after four years without the desired success, both the team and LaJoie are looking toward a new future.
The move to release LaJoie is a major step in Spire Motorsports’ quest to become a serious contender in the NASCAR Cup Series. As the team looks to the future, it has announced veteran crew chief Rodney Childers as the new leader of the #7 car’s crew. Childers will join Spire after Stewart-Haas Racing winds down next year, bringing with him a wealth of experience. However, while they have secured a top-tier crew chief, the driver for the #7 car remains undecided.
In announcing their decision to release LaJoie, Spire Motorsports made it clear that their choice was driven by performance issues. “In racing, there are always variables,” they stated, “but one thing we all know is this is a performance-based business, and it just hasn’t been there for several reasons.” Over his four-year run with Spire, LaJoie failed to secure a single win, with just four top-five finishes to his name. His best season finish came in 2023 when he ranked 25th in the Cup Series standings. It became apparent that, despite LaJoie’s efforts, the team needed a fresh start.
The decision to part ways with LaJoie is a bold move, but it also opens the door for Spire to create a new identity moving forward. With Childers on board as crew chief, the team hopes to field a car capable of competing for a championship. The only missing piece is a driver who can live up to those expectations. In their parting statement, Spire hinted at the need for a “clean slate” for the #7 car in 2025, suggesting that significant changes are on the horizon.
While LaJoie’s time with Spire may have come to an end, he’s not short on optimism about his future in NASCAR. “My phone’s going, and people are interested in making calls,” LaJoie said recently, indicating that other teams are considering him for their future plans. And it seems one of those teams could be Rick Ware Racing (RWR). According to a report by *The Athletic*’s Jordan Bianchi, LaJoie may be poised to join RWR in 2025, especially if Justin Haley, currently with RWR, moves to Spire Motorsports. This potential driver swap has generated a lot of buzz, with both drivers standing to benefit from the change.
NASCAR analyst Eric Estepp shared his thoughts on the situation, pointing out that while Haley is younger and faster, LaJoie brings something invaluable to smaller teams like RWR—experience and sponsor relationships. “Corey LaJoie is in his 30s, veteran experience,” Estepp said. “He may not have the raw speed of Justin Haley, but he’s a veteran who may attract some big-time sponsors for a smaller team like Rick Ware.” LaJoie has proven himself capable of building partnerships with sponsors such as Schluter Systems and Built Bar, which makes him an attractive option for teams that need strong financial backing.
Meanwhile, Justin Haley is being viewed as the perfect driver to fill the #7 seat for Spire Motorsports. At just 25 years old, Haley has already shown championship-caliber potential, making a name for himself in the Xfinity Series, where he finished third in 2020. With several seasons of Cup Series experience under his belt, Haley has the speed, talent, and potential to thrive at Spire.
Haley’s move to Spire would pair him with Childers, one of the most respected crew chiefs in NASCAR, which could be a winning combination. Estepp believes that this pairing could be the breakout story of 2025. “If Spire is able to pair up an experienced 25-year-old with Rodney Childers, they could be the breakout story of 2025,” he said. With Spire investing heavily in the team, the decision to let LaJoie go reflects their desire to compete at a higher level. If they can secure Haley, they stand to make a significant leap in the standings next year.
Estepp went on to say that if Spire can successfully bring Haley on board, they “win this trade.” The opportunity to pair Haley with Childers could be exactly what the team needs to take the next step in their evolution. Haley, in turn, would benefit from the resources and support that Spire is now in a position to offer, giving him the chance to fulfill his potential in the Cup Series.
While Spire looks ahead to a bright future with Haley, LaJoie faces a different challenge. But if he moves to Rick Ware Racing, it might be just what he needs. LaJoie has always thrived with smaller teams, where the expectations are lower, and the environment is more relaxed. According to Estepp, a move to RWR would put LaJoie in his comfort zone, allowing him to focus on consistency rather than contending for wins every week.
Estepp pointed out that LaJoie has spent much of his career with smaller teams, including Randy Humphrey Racing, BK Racing, and Go FAS Racing, where he earned his first top-10 finish. This history suggests that LaJoie could excel at Rick Ware Racing, a team with lower expectations that would allow him to settle in and make the most of his abilities.
Ultimately, the potential driver swap between LaJoie and Haley could work out well for both parties. While Haley would get the resources and support needed to compete at a high level with Spire, LaJoie would find a new home in an environment where he can thrive. Both drivers stand to benefit, making the 2025 season an exciting one to watch.
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