Corey LaJoie’s 2024 season in the Cup Series has taken a significant downturn. After being released by Spire Motorsports, he now finds himself essentially auditioning for a new team. Despite his best efforts, LaJoie seems to constantly find himself in trouble, impacting both his own race and those of others around him. This was evident once again at Watkins Glen, where LaJoie’s mistake directly affected Kyle Busch.
The bus stop section at Watkins Glen is notoriously challenging. NASCAR has modified the area by removing excess curbing and replacing it with rumble strips, making it even trickier. LaJoie, struggling with the tight corner, was trying to follow the #45 car for guidance. Unfortunately, he missed his braking points while exiting the corner and oversteered onto the curb. This miscalculation led to him colliding with the rear bumper of Busch’s #8 Chevy, resulting in a multi-car pile-up on the very first lap of the race.
The consequences of LaJoie’s error were immediate and severe. The ensuing crash involved several drivers and caused significant chaos early in the race. Initially, Busch was unaware of who was responsible for his spin and the resulting wreck. His frustration was palpable as he questioned, “Who is the biggest idiot for me?” To which his team owner, Richard Childress, responded over the radio, “Oh, just the same one that took you out at Pocono.”
Unlike the incident at Pocono, where the situation remained unresolved, LaJoie took full responsibility for his mistake at Watkins Glen. He admitted on the Stacking Pennies podcast, “I wanted to give the 8 room there, crowded and I ended up coming into his bumper. There’s no excuse for that. My only intention the first lap was to get through it cleanly and not ruin anybody’s day, but that’s exactly what happened.”
LaJoie is aware of the tension his mistakes have created with the RCR driver, Kyle Busch. Despite not having a direct confrontation, LaJoie recognizes that his actions have strained relations. “We haven’t spoken a word; we’ve been side by side for weeks. Unfortunately, there seems to be a magnet for the 7 and the 8 car, and he’s had the short end of the stick. So, I’m just waiting for payback, which is probably due my way,” LaJoie admitted.
It is indeed surprising that Busch hasn’t retaliated against LaJoie on track, especially considering the impact LaJoie’s mistakes have had on his season. This lack of retribution may be because Busch is not in the playoffs, and thus, has less to lose by not retaliating. In contrast, drivers like Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin, who are contending for the playoffs, suffered significant setbacks due to the early wrecks.
Playoff drivers face immense pressure to perform well. A solid points finish can provide a crucial buffer, but a single poor race can jeopardize a contender’s playoff hopes. Ryan Blaney, for instance, lost control of his car after minor contact and ended up with a DNF at Watkins Glen. Although he finished third at Atlanta, he left the Glen without any points, putting his playoff standing in jeopardy.
Similarly, Denny Hamlin faced yet another challenging race as he was caught up in a wreck for the second consecutive week. His #11 car took a hard hit from the #8 car after spinning and subsequently slammed into the outside wall. Despite repairs, a 23rd-place finish was a severe blow to his championship aspirations. Hamlin now finds himself below the cutoff line and will need a win at Bristol to keep his title hopes alive.
The Watkins Glen race was particularly nightmarish for playoff contenders, with only two out of the sixteen drivers finishing in the top ten. This sets the stage for a dramatic and high-stakes night race at Bristol, where drivers may push the limits in a desperate bid to advance past the first round.
There’s a Magnet: Corey LaJoie Confesses to First-Lap Error That Prompted Kyle Busch’s Harsh Criticism.
