Corey LaJoie out at Spire Motorsports

On Thursday, Spire Motorsports announced that Corey LaJoie, who drives the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, will not be returning to the team after the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season.

“Corey LaJoie has been a cornerstone of Spire Motorsports since 2021 and it would be impossible to overstate what he’s meant to this organization and how much I’ve agonized over this decision,” Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson expressed in a team release. “Corey put his heart and soul into this team. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work before we had a race shop, a toolbox or even our own cars. Those days, looking back, were so much simpler than where we are in our journey now. Back then, we just wanted to get to the race track. Today, we’re consumed with consistently battling for top-10 finishes and contending for wins in the near future.

“In racing, there are always variables but one thing we all know is this is a performance-based business, and it just hasn’t been there for several reasons. All those reasons are factored in when it comes to making a decision of this magnitude. With Ryan (Sparks) moving upstairs, and Rodney (Childers) coming in next season, the best thing for Spire Motorsports is a clean slate for the No. 7 car in 2025. Corey deserves a fresh look from another organization, too, and we’ll do everything we can to help him get another opportunity in the Cup garage. I believe in Corey and his ability to be successful in this sport and look forward to him using this as motivation to prove all his doubters wrong.”

During his four-year tenure with Spire in the NASCAR Cup Series, LaJoie has achieved four top-five finishes and six top-10 finishes in 129 races, with his career-best finish being fourth place at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, and Daytona International Speedway.

The 32-year-old driver began his Cup Series career in 2014, spending his early years with BK Racing, TriStar Motorsports, and GoFas Racing before joining Spire.

Currently, with four races left in the 2024 regular season, LaJoie is 28th in the points standings.

“I won’t be driving the 7 car next year,” LaJoie told The Athletic, which first reported the news. “I take a lot of satisfaction from having an integral part of building Spire into a respectable team on the grid, but unfortunately, the future won’t involve me. We will finish the remainder of 2024 strong, continuing to deliver for my partners, my guys who work hard to build good cars, family, fans, and friends who have supported me since Day 1 in the Cup Series.

“This chapter ends after Phoenix, and I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for my family next.”

In a busy Silly Season for Spire, the team has announced that Michael McDowell will take over the No. 71 Chevrolet next season, and crew chief Rodney Childers will lead the No. 7 team following the closure of Stewart-Haas Racing at the end of the year.