“When a guy like Rodney [Childers] is available, it would be malpractice if we did anything but our absolute best to bring him into our growing organization,” stated Spire Motorsports as they lay the foundation for an action-filled silly season. Less than a month later, they dropped another bomb by firing Corey Lajoie after four years together. LaJoie was instrumental in helping build the then-young team who made its debut in 2019.

Booting LaJoie was step one in the team’s revamp journey. Aiding them in the process is championship winning veteran Childers—Kevin Harvick’s crew chief. However, the team is yet to find Childers his driver. Or maybe not, because there’s already a promising name floating around as a suitable fit for the team. But Brad Keselowski is not going to be happy…

Future of Spire Motorsports and Corey LaJoie

Spire in their parting statement with LaJoie had said, “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.” Lajoie’s campaign with Spire has not been as he’d expected. In the four years (2021-2024) he’s not managed a single win and has only four top-5 finishes. And his best finish to a season has been the 25th position which came in 2023.

This forced Spire to fire him, leaving LaJoie scrambling for a ride in the next season. However, the #7 is hopeful for his future as he had previously said, “My phone’s going and people are interested in making calls.” We might finally know who’s been making those calls. A recent report by Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic talks about LaJoie possibly joining Rick Ware Racing in 2025. This could be possible since there are rumors of Justin Haley going to Spire for the #7 ride. If this is true, there would likely be a swap between the teams, which could be an issue.

Tell us tell you why: RWR has a technical alliance with Brad Keselowski-owned RFK Racing. The bigger team has a lot of say in RWR’s decisions and leaving a budding driver to bring in LaJoie, who’s yet to leave a mark, might be a hard bargain. Notably, Haley had even joined RWR on Brad Keselowski’s recommendation, which makes the situation complicated.

But for Spire, things couldn’t be more favorable.

NASCAR Analyst, Eric Estepp discussed this win-win situation, saying, “If Spire is able to pair up an experienced 25-year-old with Rodney Childers, veteran championship caliber crew chief, they could be the breakout story of 2025. Well, I guess Rodney Childers wouldn’t be breaking out, but just Haley would be the breakout star of next season. It’s possible. Spire Motorsports has made major investments in the team they expect to contend that’s why they made the hard decision to let Corey LaJoie go. If they can pry Justin Haley away from Rick Ware, effectively trade drivers. I think they win this trade.” 

Ofcourse, Haley would be a breakout star, but the one making him that would be Childers. The veteran led 37 races for Kevin Harvick at SHR between 2014-2023. He helped the driver  clinch the 2014 Cup Series championship, pushed him to eight NASCAR Playoff berths in the 10 seasons, including five appearances in the NASCAR Championship 4 between 2014-2019.

Haley will mostly get all the opportunities at Spire, which he probably needs to excel in the Cup. We’ll if Spire is an upgrade for Justin Haley. is the trade a degrade for Lajoie?

How would LaJoie fare in Rickware Racing?

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Firstly, it’s always better to have a ride than not have one. And if this deal goes through, LaJoie gets to stay back in the Cup as compared to a demotion to a lower league or worse. So it’s a win-win for both Haley and Lajoie. Well, Spire is not exactly a backmarker team and hence had huge expectations from LaJoie this season. Which he failed to deliver. However, in much smaller teams like RWR, the expectations are lower, and according to Estepp, that’s where LaJoie thrives.

In his analysis, Estepp spoke about LaJoie’s journey so far in the Cup and how it’s always been the smaller teams for him. He said, “Look, Justin Haley is young extremely talented, but Cory LaJoie is in his 30s veteran experience. Experienced with small teams that are trying to establish their identity and Lajoie has always been good with sponsors from schlutter system. Their support for years used to have you know built bar, Celsius, this year. Corey may not have the raw speed of Justin Haley, but he’s a veteran who may attract some big-time sponsors for a smaller team like Rick Ware.”

While Corey brings experience and sponsors, Justin Haley brings the proven ability to be a championship contender. Before coming to the Cup, Haley had an incredible Xfinity Series Season in 2020, where he made the final four for Kauling racing, ultimately finishing 3rd. And from 2021 to 2022, the 25-year-old had gained significant Cup Series experience.

The NASCAR insider further added, “A move to Rick Ware racing would put Cory Lajoie back into the kind of situation he is most comfortable in. Smaller team low expectations. That’s where LaJoie seems to fit best. BK racing to Go FAS to Spire in its early years no one expects you to contend fans will cheer when they see you run up near the front at the occasional Super Speedway race, treat your sponsors well sign every autograph be The Lovable Underdog Story.” 

LaJoie started his career with Randy Humphrey Racing in 2014 as a part-time driver. Then he went on to join BK racing in 2017 and ran a full season, finishing 51st. In 2018 he joined TriStar Motorsports, after which for two years he was at Go FAS Racing, where LaJoie got his first top-10 finish. After Go FAS he’s been with Spire Motorsports since 2021. So RWR racing could actually provide LaJoie the comfort as well as the opportunity to thrive in the Cup Series.

What do you think of this swap? Let us know in the comments below.