Confidence can be a powerful asset, but too much of it can backfire. Recently, Corey LaJoie made some bold remarks about NASCAR’s lower-tier series, making his stance clear but also sparking controversy. His comments came across as dismissive, drawing criticism from those who value the Xfinity and Truck Series just as much as the Cup Series.

One of the most vocal responses came from Karsyn Elledge, an employee of Dale Earnhardt Jr., who didn’t hold back in calling LaJoie out. Given his struggles in the 2024 season, LaJoie’s remarks could further damage his reputation. With his Cup Series seat already on shaky ground, such blunt statements might not be the best move for his career.

Corey LaJoie might not have the stand to call out the low-tier drives

Let’s be honest here. When it comes to Corey LaJoie’s 2024 run, it was below average. In fact, he had to part ways with Spire Motorsports and then join Rick Ware Racing. Here he entered into a screen race stint. However as fate would have it, even this run did not go well. He had to ultimately step down from his Cup series seat and wait for an opportunity to come his way. Given that he has made his way through Xfinity and Truck Series, there was a consensus that he would be joining back in the same genre. However, LaJoie has some unique plans for 2025 and he even has somewhat drawn off all his attachments from the roots. 

Instead of considering opportunities in the lower tiers, the driver of the No. 01 RWR Ford has doubled down on his commitment to the NASCAR Cup Series. He has made it evident that he would not botch down even if it means that he will be racing for a limited schedule in the Cup Series. During an episode of  Door Bumper Clear, it was quite evident what his stance was. Corey LaJoie stated that he would rather finish 20th in a Cup Series race on Sundays than compete in the Xfinity or Truck Series. He had further added that this was more appealing to him rather than a victory in front of a small crowd of 12 people in the grandstands. Calling out LaJoie’s stand, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s employee said, “I mean, I think he’s just a whiny b***h. That’s what I think”.For the 2025 season, Corey LaJoie will compete in a limited NASCAR Cup Series schedule for Rick Ware Racing in 2025, taking the wheel of the No. 01 Ford. At the same time, he is focusing on building his brand, Stacking Pennies Performance. 

LaJoie’s comments had earned widespread backlash as it was derogatory to both the Xfinity and Truck series fans. It also degraded the drivers who were driving for those two tiers. Further adding to the discussion, the participants in the podcast sarcastically said, “I don’t understand what he has against the fans. I don’t know why he doesn’t want to race in front of 12”. LaJoie’s comments have fetched backlash from even Josh Reaume who is the owner of Reaume Brothers Racing. Calling out what he said, Josh said Corey was “disrespectful”.

Corey himself knows that his career hasn’t been quite iconic and the kind of graph he has drawn in comparison to his contemporaries is not worthwhile. Pointing out the same, he said, “It doesn’t surprise me that my career isn’t what I thought it was going to be. I envisioned being wheel-to-wheel with those guys a decade ago, and those guys got in the system, evolved and developed, and became champions. I’ve had to just play the cards that I was dealt. Sometimes, I didn’t play them very well. I’m man enough to admit that. When you have a year as ***ked as we did last year, you’re going to get fired. I wish there were some things that we could have changed internally before we cut off the snake”. LaJoie’s stance currently isolates him from potential opportunities. However it also raises the question—has his unwavering commitment to the Cup Series become more of a roadblock than a stepping stone in his career?

When Kenny Wallace backed LaJoie’s stance

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When it did seem that the entire NASCAR community did not side with him, there was one person who was quite vocal about how Corey LaJoie had done the right thing. NASCAR veteran and current analyst, Kenny Wallace defended LaJoie’s decision and painted the true picture of the deplorable financial pressure that drivers have to go through.

He said, “Corey’s right and it was hard for people to hear”.  Wallace himself has been an Xfinity veteran and he has accounted for a total of nine-time Xfinity Series wins and more than 500 starts in the series. He also pointed out how people are often more interested in Sunday and this leads to more financial accountability for the Cup Series. The Xfinity prodigy added, “All the money and all the eyes are on Sunday… I’m going to hurt some feelings today, but ain’t nobody give a flying f–k about the Xfinity Series or the Truck Series”.

The current stand has made it pretty evident that LaJoie’s future runs by a thin thread. If he can prove himself on Sunday. Do you think that he will be able to make the most of the opportunity handed over to him?