Corey LaJoie has been through an emotional roller-coaster since his departure from Spire Motorsports became public. After all, he has been an integral part of the team since 2021, taking them to four top-5s and six top-10s in over 129 Cup Series starts. During this period, he was the focal point of a small team with big ambitions, even before the time Spire Motorsports had received investment from Group1001 or moved into the larger building that previously housed Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Despite overachieving last year, results this season haven’t been up to par. As things stand, LaJoie is 28th in the driver standings, with just one top-five and one top-ten finish in 22 races, performing even below rookie Carson Hocevar while driving the same machine. With his future in the Cup Series in doubt, Corey LaJoie has been coy about the details regarding his departure from Spire Motorsports.

Corey LaJoie reflects on his career taking a different trajectory

Corey LaJoie has been more than a racer for Spire Motorsports. The North Carolina native has helped build the team’s identity through its formative years and made them a force to be reckoned with in the racing landscape. LaJoie has been through it all at Spire Motorsports, whether it was pride at his results, the frustrations regarding operational challenges, or his shortcomings during races. While a playoff spot remains a distant possibility with four regular-season races to go, Corey LaJoie aims to finish the season strongly, secure the team’s first Cup Series win, and add a trophy to their collection.

Addressing the news of his departure from Spire Motorsports on the July 31st Stacking Pennies podcast, as Corey and Ryan Flores discussed his current situation, Corey LaJoie said, “You know, there’s a lot of things behind the scenes that go on that are probably not worth being in public view. I am super appreciative of where I’m at in life financially with my career. It went way different than I ever expected it. Also, it’s never been easy. My entire NASCAR career has not went how I thought it was going to go. So why would I expect anything different, right? Every single plan that I thought I was going to make, it went differently.”

Corey LaJoie had signed a two-year contract extension with Spire Motorsports last year, and with the team hiring Rodney Childers from Stewart-Haas Racing, the expectation was that the two would team up for the 2025 season. While the 32-year-old has publicly said, “I am at peace with it”, when referring to his departure from Spire Motorsports, it’s not surprising that revealing details about the team’s decision would not be the best idea, especially considering that the season isn’t over yet.

Expectations from Corey Lajoie were at an all-time high after the team expanded from two to three cars at the start of the 2024 season. Investment from Gainbridge and Group1001 meant that LaJoie was expected to compete in the playoffs. However, with just one P4 at Daytona, along with numerous spins and wrecks all season, the harsh reality of NASCAR being a results-based industry has quickly dawned on Corey LaJoie.

Many fans believe that rookies Carson Hocevar and Zane Smith, on the other hand, have outperformed Corey LaJoie this season. Hocevar has two top-ten finishes already and has consistently finished in and around the top-15 mark in the last eight races. Michael McDowell, who will replace Zane Smith next season, has two Cup Series victories to his name. So it’s easy to understand why Spire Motorsports decided to let Corey LaJoie go. While speculation continues about who could replace the 32-year-old in the flagship No. 7 team, a prominent NASCAR insider has effectively ruled out a driver partnering with Rodney Childers in 2025.

Bob Pockrass rules out two-time Cup Series winner

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With Spire Motorsports losing an experienced driver in Corey LaJoie next season, it’s only logical that fans began to speculate that Kyle Busch could make his way into the No. 7 Chevy in 2025. The 39-year-old has had a frustrating season at Richard Childress Racing, and his relationship with Jeff Dickerson, the team owner of Spire Motorsports, goes back to the early 2000s. With five DNFs already and a 43-race winless streak, it’s clear that Rowdy needs a change, but is there a chance for him to join Spire Motorsports in 2025? According to Fox Sports journalist Bob Pockrass, the answer is no.

With Kyle Busch under contract at Richard Childress Racing, Bob Pockrass expects him to complete his time at his current team before entertaining the possibility of moving elsewhere. While nothing is certain, especially in NASCAR, it’s a move that the journalist believes is unlikely to happen. Writing on X, Bob Pockrass said, “No. I don’t expect Kyle Busch to be in a Cup car at Spire next year from the people I talked to today. Kyle Busch has a contract with RCR for next year and while never say never, that is where I see him next year.”

If Busch isn’t a viable candidate for the No. 7 seat, Spire Motorsports will have to shift their attention elsewhere. The likes of Sam Mayer and Ryan Preece have also been linked to the seat, and both could be more attainable targets than Rowdy. Time will tell what direction Jeff Dickerson’s team could go with, and with four races remaining in the regular season, Corey LaJoie will also hope to prove his capabilities to his future employers.

Who do you think will replace Corey LaJoie at Spire Motorsports in 2025? Let us know in the comments!