With Zane Smith officially confirmed as the driver of Front Row Motorsports’ third entry for 2025, only one seat remains unclaimed in the NASCAR Cup Series: the No. 51 Ford Mustang at Rick Ware Racing. Corey LaJoie, who piloted the car during the final seven races of the 2024 season, now faces an uncertain future as the fight for the seat intensifies.
LaJoie’s opportunity with Rick Ware Racing came after a surprising mid-season driver swap. Justin Haley left Spire Motorsports to join the No. 7 car under a multi-year deal, securing his role as the leader of Spire’s flagship team. In turn, LaJoie moved to the No. 51 car without any long-term assurances from Rick Ware Racing. Despite being an experienced driver, retaining the seat for 2025 was always going to be an uphill battle, and Smith’s recent confirmation with FRM has only complicated matters further for the 33-year-old.
Adding to LaJoie’s challenges are recent comments from FOX reporter Bob Pockrass. Responding to a fan’s question on X, formerly Twitter, regarding LaJoie’s status with the team, Pockrass offered a less-than-encouraging update. When the fan asked, “I thought Corey had been confirmed for the 51???” Pockrass replied, “Corey LaJoie is still working on his 2025 plans but is not expected to be full-time in the RWR No. 51 next year. Cody Ware appears to be the likely driver for that car.”
The situation leaves LaJoie in a precarious position. With Riley Herbst securing 23XI Racing’s third seat and Zane Smith set to race full-time for FRM, LaJoie’s sole remaining option for Cup racing appears to be with Rick Ware Racing. However, his path is further complicated by internal competition, as team owner Rick Ware’s son, Cody Ware, is also a strong contender for the seat.
As the 2025 season approaches, LaJoie finds himself in an uphill battle to secure a full-time ride. With few options left and steep competition, the experienced driver’s future in the Cup Series hangs in the balance.
