Spire Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing just might have pulled off the most unique move of this year’s silly season. The teams announced a swap deal between Corey LaJoie and Justin Haley for the remainder of the 2024 season. Lajoie will take command of the #51 RWR Chevy, while Haley will hop into the #7 car from next weekend at Kansas Speedway.

This was indeed a big surprise, given that RFK Racing was looking to forge a technical alliance. A move that could’ve opened the doors for them to add a third charter to its racing project. However, with this news, Justin Haley is looking to make the most of this opportunity at Spire in the hopes of making the big jump. Given that Spire and Hendrick Motorsports share good relations, a solid outing in the next seven races could lead to an opportunity at HMS.

Justin Haley looks to overturn his torrid 2024 outing with Spire Motorsports

The Indiana native driver kick-started his Cup Series journey with Spire back in 2019 on a part-time run. In just his third Cup start, the young driver notched his first win at the Daytona International Speedway. This achievement opened up the door for a full-time run for him in 2021, but he was unable to repeat his past heroics. After two years at Kaulig and a big change to the Ford team at RWR in 2024, Haley has returned to the team where it all began.

But the 25-year-old driver was put under the spotlight when a reporter asked if Hendrick Motorsports played a part in his arrival at Spire. There have been rumors that HMS has more than four drivers on its roster. This rumor mill started to run on overtime when Brett Griffin and Freddie Kraft shared this take while speaking on the Door Bumper Clear podcast.

However, Haley wasn’t aware of any such development and replied, “I mean, it’s clear that Spire and HMS have a strong relationship. I think everyone in here knows that.” Haley said during the press conference ahead of the Bristol race. He even went on to reveal what all went on behind the scenes that helped him return to Spire.

“Jeff Dickerson called me and presented me an opportunity to drive the 7 car for him, and it’s a homecoming for me to be able to get back with Jeff and everyone else at Spire Motorsports. There’s where I started my career, and you know, race as hard as I do every weekend. Super thankful that Jeff Dickerson made the call to want me to drive his race car again and everyone at Spire for giving me this opportunity so yeah we’re gonna go out there and do the best we can” he added.

Meanwhile, Corey LaJoie, who was also involved in this deal, had a bittersweet feeling about leaving Spire Motorsports mid-season. He has been with the team since 2021 but unfortunately has not been able to grow into the leader or the senior driver they hoped for. Although Justin Haley secured his ride in the #7 car for 2025, LaJoie’s future remains uncertain.

Corey LaJoie isn’t out of the woods yet

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For more than three years in the team, LaJoie hasn’t been able to live up to the expectation. Apart from four top 5 finishes, he hasn’t been able to compete for wins or looked like a genuine race contender. Moreover, his theatrics on the racetrack this season with DNF finishes and sub-par outings put his team in a rough spot.

Now, Jeff Dickerson and the company are viewing the #7 team as their flagship project. They were able to retain Gainbridge as the primary sponsor for the race car for 2025. And they also brought in championship-winning crew chief Rodney Childers at the helm. With Lajoie constantly firing blanks on weekends, they had to make changes, and Justin Haley’s comeback looks like a fair bet for now.

“It’s a band of brothers because you are forged just in the trenches of Sunday racing. Those guys have inspired and provided for me an incredible platform, and I’m excited for some clarity over what my future might look like to finish the rest of the year with Robbie and Rick and the entire group over there. I’m going to drive that thing just like I stole it each and every week and try to keep the wheels pointing in same direction and see where it all shakes out from there,” LaJoie said during the announcement.

Seven races could make or break LaJoie’s chances for a Cup ride next year. So, he has no option but to give it his all and try to avoid the mistakes he made so far in 2024.