Spire Motorsports Boss Issues a 4-Word Ultimatum That Derailed Corey LaJoie’s NASCAR Career

Despite doing everything at their disposal, Spire Motorsports have not performed as well as they might have anticipated. With Corey LaJoie lagging in the Cup Series standings, he definitely had some bright moments here and there but is still to register a victory in the 2024 season. Others for Spire Motorsports, be it in the Cup or Truck series, have been underperformers too.

But the situation at Spire is nothing new!

They’ve been a team of such display for some time now. This is why the ownership has decided to make several significant changes to the team. Corey LaJoie has already bid farewell to the team and is looking for new prospects in the coming season. The team, as a result, is trying to bring in Justin Haley with the championship-winning crew chief, Rodney Childers. Apart from that, Travis Peterson is set to take crew chief duties for Michael McDowell for Spire Motorsports in the 2025 season.

These changes come with a reason. And the co-owner of Spire Motorsports, Jeff Dickerson, has made it evident with a statement.

Corey LaJoie will be gone; what next?

Well, it appears that the departure of Corey LaJoie was just the tip of the iceberg. The ownership of Spire Motorsports appears to take even more drastic measures if the situation continues. They have clear instructions. For those joining, and for those who are staying by, it’s both ambitious and blunt.

Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Jeff Dickerson revealed the big shifts within Spire Motorsports in the coming season and ownership’s expectations from the re-vamped squad. He said, ”We have to win. Like we have to win. Like you don’t do these moves and not win. You know. You don’t try to move on from Corey, you don’t bring in some of the guys we’ve been bringing on. You know behind the scenes. You know without we’ve thought building it, building it, building it.” 

However, from Dickerson’s comments, it did not appear as if Spire was in no comeback situation. After the start of the cup series following the Olympics break, Dickerson, in fact, is hopeful that their team would qualify for the play-offs. Talking about their expectations for the near future, he added, ”The goal for this year is to win, and we still have that opportunity to and hopefully over the next course we can get into the playoffs, but from next year we have to win; we can’t do what we’ve been doing and not win.”

These words from Jeff Dickerson are proof enough that Spire Motorsports wants nothing short of success in the coming season. However, it’s their ace driver since 2021, Corey LaJoie, who is on the receiving end of this transition. With his last season at Spire Motorsports, what will his future hold?

LaJoie’s future hangs in the balance

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Following his departure, the 32-year-old will enter the free-agent pool at the end of the season. LaJoie has 258 career Cup starts. And a talent like Corey LaJoie is likely to tempt some teams, particularly because he is a free agent up for the coming season.

As per Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, Kaulig Racing, and Rick Ware Racing are the two most likely contenders to sign LaJoie. Because both Kaulig and Rick Ware racing have two charters with only one full-time driver. LaJoie would be a perfect fit for both organizations.

Another probable for him, according to Pockrass, is Front Row Motorsports, but they do seem a distant third for now. With Michael McDowell switching over to Spire Motorsports, the spot at FRM, however, is also up for grabs.

Do you think Spire Motorsports will be successful in the coming season, or is it the departure of Corey LaJoie that will cost them? What do you think the future holds for him? Do let us know in the comments.