Years After His Dreams Were Crushed by Rick Hendrick, Corey LaJoie Makes a Bold Admission About His Heartbreak

While the recent Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway had all the bells and whistles to be a blockbuster, the Chase Elliott-Denny Hamlin stunt had the community stunned. Despite Elliott’s “bullsh*t move” that wrecked the #11 Camry in a vicious crash, fans are now in awe of Elliott’s replacement, Corey LaJoie.

Ahead of his much-awaited race this week at the World Wide Technology Raceway where he’ll pilot the #9 Chevy instead of the suspended Elliott, the Spire Motorsports driver last day revealed his thoughts about the golden opportunity at hand.

LaJoie also shared the conservation with the boss, Rick Hendrick, while talking to the press ahead of the race. Interestingly, LaJoie revealed a lesser-known tale about ‘the letter’ he sent to Mr. H seeking a role in the HMS camp.

Hours before his HMS debut, the man of the hour Corey Lajoie recalls ‘the letter’ he sent to Hendrick

The series’ longest race was an intense yet exciting event, and Ryan Blaney made an impression by ending his winless streak. However, the joyous occasion was marred by the altercation between Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports and veteran Denny Hamlin.

While Elliott returned the favor to Hamlin who bumped into the Chevy, coming into the turn, the HMS driver’s reaction to viciously wreck Hamlin prompted NASCAR to slap their poster boy with a one-race suspension. This, however, gave way to LaJoie’s long dream, to pilot the HMS Chevy car into the finish.

Now coming to the recent updates, Corey Lajoie drew a sharp ‘video game-like’ scenario while revealing a lesser-known tale about the letter he sent to the boss shortly after Jimmie Johnson‘s void in the team. LaJoie hand-delivered the letter to Rick Hendrick, expressing interest in taking over one of the championship-winning cars after the 7-time champ announced his retirement.

And now, with him at the helm of the #9 Chevy, LaJoie revealed to the press how the recent surprise came at the right time. He said, “I’m glad that call didn’t come a couple months after that letter because I wouldn’t have been ready for it.” He added, “I wouldn’t have been ready for the opportunity–my maturation level, my skills behind the wheel.”

READ MORE: Why Did Rick Hendrick Choose Corey LaJoie and Not Josh Berry to Replace Chase Elliott at the Gateway

6 years and countless hours of grind have got the 31-year-old the much-deserved breakthrough despite the early heartbreak, to pilot one of the winningest cars on the track.

LaJoie also shared the ‘video-game’ like change in his life

Trending

1

Kevin Harvick Rejoices at NASCAR’s Lawsuit Loss As Tony Stewart Earns Millions of Dollars

2

Kevin Harvick Warns NASCAR Drivers About Brad Keselowski’s Silent Moves

3

NASCAR Hall of Famer Awaits Retaliation From Kyle Busch After Mocking Rowdy’s Legal Troubles in Mexico

4

Jeff Gordon Demands Answers From NASCAR After Controversial “Popularity Contest” Rule to Favor 1 Cup Series Team

5

Kyle Busch Continues to Ignore Warnings as He Lays Down His 9-YO Sons Career Blueprint

Driving for one of the winningest teams in the sport, now that is certainly a dream for many, and Corey LaJoie is living his dream life. He recently shared his awe when he drew out a parallel as he mentioned the unreal route of life that now has come in a full circle.

During his exclusive to the media, LaJoie opened up about how everything fell into place after he missed the call from Mr. H. He said, “I was thinking about this — there’s a couple young people in here that might have played NASCAR video games growing up,” 

Further, he compared the seemingly unreal situation to a video game. He said, “But ‘NASCAR 2004-2005,’ like you’d start your career mode in the bottom team, and then you’d get the call up to the next team and the next team. And then you’d get a notification on your phone from like Rick Hendrick to drive that car.”

While the current opportunity is much different from a video game, LaJoie also spoke about his steady grind, despite falling short many times. “That’s what I felt like laying in bed on Wednesday morning talking to the wife. I was like, ‘My life is a video game right now.’ It’s just nonstop progression, failure and just falling short time and time again, but keep taking steps forward towards the goal of getting to the position that I’m in right now. It’s been wild.”

WATCH THIS STORY | Bubba Wallace insider tears apart Chase Elliott’s retaliation with HMS star’s unfamiliar example

The scenario may seem like a tough spot to be in. LaJoie is content with all the hard work he had to put in to be in such a position. Yet he also got to keep in mind that he makes the most out of the given opportunity with the fans’ sky-high expectations.