Corey LaJoie joins Spire Motorsports for the remainder of the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, taking over the last eight races from Andres Perez de Lara, as confirmed by the team on Monday. In tandem with this change, Andres Perez de Lara will complete the rest of the season competing for Niece Motorsports, with the updates set to start at the upcoming Richmond event.
Perez de Lara Embraces Transition to Niece Motorsports
Andres Perez de Lara, at just 20 years old and in his rookie season, currently sits 17th in the standings as he moves to the new team. Perez de Lara expressed his enthusiasm about working with Niece Motorsports and the opportunities ahead:
“Overall, I’m really excited about the upcoming races with Niece Motorsports,”
—Andres Perez de Lara, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver
“Making a change mid-season always has its challenges, but the team and I are working hard to be 100% by the time Richmond comes. I’m really focusing on having a good race there and feel very motivated with how the team has treated me. I feel the team is also motivated with having me there as well.”
—Andres Perez de Lara, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver
Spire Motorsports Adjusts Team Strategy with LaJoie
Alongside the driver swap, Spire Motorsports has decided to transfer its owners points from the No. 07 entry to the No. 77, with Corey LaJoie behind the wheel. LaJoie has already made one appearance in the Truck Series this season, achieving an impressive fifth-place finish at Michigan while driving for Spire’s No. 07 truck.
Looking Ahead to the Season’s Final Stretch
This driver change signals a fresh approach for both organizations as the season heads toward its conclusion, with Richmond marking the starting point. Corey LaJoie’s experience may bolster Spire Motorsports’ performance, while Perez de Lara looks to harness his rookie momentum with the support of Niece Motorsports. The coming races are expected to showcase how these strategic moves impact the teams’ success in the closing stages of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
