While 2023 was a year of widespread misfortune for big names like Stewart-Haas Racing, the same can’t be said for Corey LaJoie and his stint with Spire Motorsports. Not only did the #7 Chevrolet improve from a 24.3 average finish in 2022 to 20.8 in 2023, but also the future looked as bright as ever after Spire joined hands with Trackhouse Racing to shield a third car. Now that Corey LaJoie has found his groove within the HMS-powered Chevrolet, it’s all up to crew chief Ryan Sparks and the team to give him a car capable of victory.

As Carson Hocevar and Zane Smith will grace the Spire Motorsports garages, LaJoie is looking for much more than just a playoff qualification as the team’s leading driver. But can the team that gave the community so much to look out for last season repeat their shenanigans this year?

Is Corey LaJoie a man of his word or will Spire Motorsports fail his dream?

Spire Motorsports is not known for its prowess as a winning team. Their last major feat came when Justin Haley crossed the line at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 to win in 2019, and since then, the team has barely been able to progress past the top 10 mark. But this hasn’t stopped Corey Lajoie from making his expectations clear. He shared on SiriusXM’s NASCAR Radio, “The expectations internally between [crew chief] Ryan Sparks and I. I feel like, if we don’t make the playoffs, we’ll be pretty frustrated. We got so many great additions to our race team. Moved shops and there are four truck teams in there with us.”

Now that LaJoie is the most experienced driver at Spire, it goes without saying that the 32-year-old sees the bigger picture. Carson Hocevar is going to be paired up with Luke Lambert as his crew chief for 2024. And this is rather optimal as the pair has previous experience during their time at Legacy Motor Club. LaJoie couldn’t help but express how vital Hocevar’s side will be: “We’ve been more or less operating as a one-car team in the last three years. With this new car, trying to fine-tune and refine that baseline is so important.”

LaJoie felt that working with essentially only a single car’s data to improve their performances had largely stunted the team’s internal growth when compared to the opposition. Now that they had three teams, it was all the more easier to improve with more data. LaJoie concluded, “We have a great partnership with Hendrick Motorsports on the engine side and pit crew side as well. We’re gonna win, I would be very upset and probably frustrated. Feel like, internally we probably didn’t meet our marks if we didn’t win or find ourselves in the Playoffs.”

Although Corey LaJoie’s focus largely remains on bagging in trips to victory lane for the #7 Chevrolet garage, what could be the team’s hidden trump card is the partnership the now veteran Spire Motorsports driver could grow with his new teammates Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar. With the three looking equally promising, can 2024 truly be a year Spire Motorsports can win races?

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The 2024 Spire Motorsports lineup is packed with talent

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To better understand the team’s 2024 prospects, let’s first take a look at Corey LaJoie’s form and potential. Not only did LaJoie bring in much-needed points for the team through consistent top-20 results, but also three top-10s and 2 top-fives showcased his ability to get into the top positions. While LaJoie finished the season in 25th, the fire within to win lit brighter than ever. With five full-time seasons in the Cup Series now under his belt, LaJoie is on his way to proving his worth as a promising driver.

As for rookie teammate Carson Hocevar, his fourth finish in the Truck Series standings after bringing in four wins, 11 top fives and 13 top 10s meant the young driver was a hot property instantly. Even in his Cup Series appearances in races like the Bristol Night Races where he finished 11th showcased his worth as a driver in NASCAR’s top series. With LaJoie there to guide Hocevar toward victory lane, the #77 Chevrolet is looking as good as ever.

Carson Hocevar and Corey LaJoie will be joined by another Truck Series contender who brought in a few victories and top-fives to showcase his tenacity. Zane Smith will finally get his chance in a full-time Cup Series seat after making eight starts in 2023 and securing a 10th-place finish in the Coca-Cola 600. With the squad looking to prove themselves over one another, 2024 will be a year of great momentum for Spire Motorsports.

But can Corey Lajoie truly make good on his word and reach the play offs, perhaps even secure a win? Only time will tell as we are only a few weeks shy of the new season.

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