Veteran Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie returns to Spire Motorsports for a crucial nine-race stretch in the 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, starting at Michigan International Speedway this weekend, with the goal of guiding the No. 07 Gainbridge Chevrolet to its first Owner’s Championship. LaJoie will bring valuable consistency to a truck that has seen a parade of skilled drivers this season as Spire aims to tighten its hold on the competitive Owner Standings in a pivotal year.
LaJoie’s Return Bolsters Spire’s Championship Ambitions
Spire Motorsports confirmed on June 2, 2025, that Corey LaJoie will pilot the No. 07 Chevrolet Silverado at Michigan, Richmond, and all seven Truck Series playoff races. The announcement marks his return to a team he once helped build over three years in the Cup Series, achieving four top-five and eight top-10 finishes before moving to Rick Ware Racing in late 2024. Now, with the No. 07 team ranked ninth in the standings, LaJoie is set to steer them into title contention starting with the DQS Solutions and Staffing 200 on June 7 at Michigan and continuing through the regular-season finale at Richmond on August 15.
Expressing his enthusiasm following confirmation of the move, Corey LaJoie simply stated:
“Let’s do it.”
—Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Spire’s co-owner Jeff Dickerson detailed the behind-the-scenes conversations that led to LaJoie’s signing for this playoff push:
“While discussing our best path to bring Spire our first CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship and describing what we needed in a driver, the driver we were all talking about without saying his name was Corey LaJoie. So, when I ran into Corey in the motorhome lot one morning earlier this spring, I asked him what he thought about coming home and doing this.”
—Jeff Dickerson, Spire co-owner
Spire’s Playoff Lineup and Truck Series Bench Strength
Throughout 2025, Spire Motorsports has expanded its Truck Series effort with four Chevrolet Silverado entries. The No. 07 and No. 7 trucks have seen action from Cup and Xfinity Series drivers including Michael McDowell at Daytona and Atlanta, Justin Haley in Las Vegas, Kyle Larson at Homestead and Bristol, William Byron in Martinsville and Kansas, Sammy Smith at Rockingham, Nick Sanchez in Texas, B.J. McLeod at Charlotte, and Kyle Busch in North Wilkesboro and Nashville. Meanwhile, Rajah Caruth operates the No. 71 and Andres Perez de Lara campaigns the No. 77 as full-time drivers.
In his remarks on the team’s official statement, LaJoie looked forward to both the on-track challenge and reconnecting with familiar faces at Spire:
I’m looking forward to getting back in the seat and chasing some NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series wins. I put in a lot of work in the early days to help shape Spire Motorsports, and I still have some friends that have been there since day one, so it’ll be good to see them. The No. 07 team has been bringing some fast trucks to the track this year and are looking for a spot in the owner’s playoffs.”
—Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Cup Series driver
On-Track Performance and Owner Standings Outlook
Despite the rotation of drivers in the No. 07 Chevrolet, Spire Motorsports has remained exceptionally competitive throughout the first 12 races of 2025. Kyle Larson drove the truck to victory at Homestead-Miami, while William Byron and Kyle Busch each secured second-place finishes. With three top-five and four top-10 finishes, the No. 07 team currently stands ninth in the Truck Series Owner Standings, tallying 374 points so far this season.
Other notable performances include contributions by Sammy Smith, Nick Sanchez, Michael McDowell, B.J. McLeod, and Justin Haley, each keeping the team prominent in weekly race results. The varied lineup highlights the depth of the Spire Motorsports bench and the organization’s ability to stay within striking distance of a major championship achievement.
What LaJoie’s Return Means for Spire and the Truck Series
Corey LaJoie’s rejoining of Spire Motorsports signals the team’s commitment to locking down its first Truck Series Owner’s Championship in a highly competitive season. Drawing upon his prior history with Spire and his Cup Series experience, LaJoie is positioned to deliver stability and leadership through the critical playoff stretch. As the No. 07 Gainbridge Chevrolet Silverado pursues more top finishes, all eyes turn to Michigan and beyond, where Spire’s Owner Standings ambitions hinge on LaJoie’s efforts and the team’s continued resilience in the NASCAR Truck Series.
