Spire Motorsports parted ways with Corey LaJoie during the Olympics break. With no wins and only one top 5 and one top 10 this season so far, it’s not hard to see why. The 32-year-old driver was asked to give up his seat no. 7, but that didn’t stop Jeff Dickerson’s team from featuring their longtime driver in their promotional materials. The North Carolina player was featured in an ad published online by Spire Motorsports, where the team invited potential sponsors.
The ad also featured Corey LaJoie’s line, prompting NASCAR fans to discuss Spire Motorsports’ decision on Reddit. The irony was not lost on fans: the announcement specifically mentioned that the team was looking for partners for 2025, despite its partnership with LaJoie ending at the end of the 2024 season.
What could be Corey LaJoie’s next career move?
The 2024 Cup Series season has seen many changes, mainly due to the cessation of the Stewart-Haas Racing operation at the end of the 2024 season. They have also opened up a number of opportunities for promising drivers. Corey LaJoie, who helped put Spire Motorsports on the map during the team’s transition years, has had a rough season so far. Currently ranked 28th in the drivers’ standings, his playoff hopes remain a distant dream.
Although a place in the first division of NASCAR seems unlikely, Corey LaJoie has been linked with a move to Rick Ware Racing or Kaulig Racing for 2025. The driver could be considered a prospect for the No. 16 in Kaulig Racing, which is currently shared by five drivers. However, Shane van Gisbergen stands in LaJoie’s way, as Trackhouse Racing already has an alliance with Kaulig. The New Zealander has been heavily linked with a move to a full-time seat in the Cup Series for 2025 and his signing would guarantee at least one win on the road.
Considering LaJoie’s record, which includes four top-5s and six top-10s in 129 Cup starts for Spire Motorsports, the numbers don’t paint a good picture for him. Another possibility is for Justin Haley to join Spire Motorsports, while Corey LaJoie goes to Rick Ware Racing. The driver of Ford No. The 51 has just two top-10 finishes this season and sits one spot behind LaJoie in the drivers’ standings. Although Haley does not appear to be an automatic promotion for LaJoie, Jordan Bianchi did not rule out the possibility.
The NASCAR reporter said: “Among the names we’re looking at for the No. 7 car, one name to really watch is Justin Haley. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes that’s going on, but I’d say Justin Haley is the top contender. »
Corey LaJoie is the longest-running driver in Spire Motorsports history, so unsurprisingly, his stature has evolved over the years to become the face of the brand. However, it seems distasteful that the team appealed to him for a sponsorship for the 2025 season, especially after the separation of the pilot. Whether it was an honest mistake or a deliberate strategy, the announcement sparked a backlash throughout the NASCAR world, with many fans taking to Reddit to voice their opinions.
Fans react to Spire Motorsports sponsorship announcement with LaJoie
It didn’t take long for fans to make their voices heard about Corey LaJoie’s presence in Spire Motorsports’ promotional materials for the 2025 season The announcement on social media sparked a flurry of reactions from fans, most of whom considered it poor. taste Considering LaJoie’s poor season so far, one fan joked on Reddit saying, “You’re looking at it the wrong way, actually promoting the fact that LaJoie won’t be here.” »
The ad featured a Spire Motorsports driver wearing a helmet while standing on a track. The image also includes copy that reads: “Sponsorship opportunities available.” Noting that the promotional material and pilot shown were generic, one fan wrote: “To be honest, this is a pretty generic ad. This looks like a pretty generic pilot, to be honest. In response, another Reddit user commented, “Is that a pretty generic signature at the end too?”, pointing to Corey LaJoie’s signature appearing in the background of the image. According to one fan, Corey LaJoie’s presence in Spire Motorsports promotional materials is nothing new.
Expressing shock at the team’s social media strategy while suggesting it could have been done on purpose, the fan said: “They currently have another ad on Facebook with a picture of LaJoie. Some commenters said: ‘You might want to have a driver who is still in the team. “Personally, I was very surprised to see Spire spreading advertising like this.
Echoing this sentiment, another fan wrote that Jeff Dickerson’s team also does sponsorship advertising for promoters under their umbrella. The fan said: “Spire has also published ads of this nature seeking sponsors for the Milwaukee Truck Race. Spire owns Track Enterprises, which is the promoter of the race.”
What do you think about Spire Motorsports using Corey LaJoie in their sponsorship ads? Tell us in the comments!
