Corey LaJoie has confirmed his busy plans at Richmond Raceway, where he will drive for Spire Motorsports No.77 Truck Series entry while also serving as RFK Racing‘s reserve driver in the Cup Series, staying ready in case Brad Keselowski departs due to a family commitment. This weekend not only marks a return to Spire Motorsports for LaJoie, but also presents him an opportunity to chase his elusive first NASCAR victory.
Corey LaJoie Prepares for Double Duty at Richmond
During the latest episode of the Stacking Pennies podcast, Corey LaJoie announced he will take over Spire’s No.77 truck, alongside his Cup Series standby duties at Richmond Raceway. LaJoie will step in for Perez de Lara, who was filling Kaden Honeycutt’s seat at Niece Motorsports, reflecting the ever-shifting nature of NASCAR driver lineups.
This move signals LaJoie’s rejoining of Spire Motorsports, a team he parted ways with earlier in the 2024 Cup season. The 33-year-old, still seeking his first NASCAR win, views his Truck Series campaign as a prime chance to finally reach victory lane. Previously, at Michigan International Speedway, LaJoie piloted a Spire truck to a strong fifth-place finish, raising expectations for the remainder of the season as he is set to drive the No.77 Chevy the rest of the way.
“I’m looking forward to getting back in the seat and chasing some NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series wins,”
Lajoie said via GPfans.com —Corey Lajoie, Driver
“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,”
he added. —Corey Lajoie, Driver
Spire Motorsports Adjusts Strategy with LaJoie’s Return
Spire Motorsports has officially announced changes tied to LaJoie’s comeback, revealing that the team will transfer owner‘s points from the No.07 entry to the No.77 Chevy for the rest of the year. Currently, Spire Motorsports holds fifth place in the standings, keeping an 8-point edge over Niece Motorsports. Meanwhile, their other full-time competitor, Raja Caruth, stands 12th in the points race after 17 events this season.
“Spire Motorsports, in consultation with NASCAR, will shift the owner’s points from the team’s No. 07 entry to the No. 77 team with veteran Corey LaJoie at the controls for the final eight races of the season, beginning at Richmond Raceway,”
Spire Motorsports said in a team statement. —Spire Motorsports, Team
“The team will compete as a three-truck operation for the remainder of the 2025 campaign, fielding the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in pursuit of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series owner’s and driver’s titles.”
—Spire Motorsports, Team
LaJoie’s Season Highlights and Broader Racing Roles
Since 2021, Corey LaJoie has raced for Spire Motorsports, and following his departure last year, he stepped into broadcasting, having contributed to Prime Video’s five-race NASCAR coverage this season. Alongside his truck racing ambitions, LaJoie has also made several part-time starts in the Cup Series, driving at tracks such as Daytona International Speedway, Echopark Speedway, and Bristol Motor Speedway.
While competing for Rick Ware Racing, LaJoie struggled for top results in these Cup events, finishing outside the top-30 in three out of four appearances, though he managed a solid 12th at Daytona. The North Carolina native remains a well-known figure in the NASCAR scene, balancing both driving and media responsibilities.
Potential Impact for LaJoie and Spire Motorsports
As Corey LaJoie readies for this significant double duty weekend, his return to the Spire Motorsports No.77 Truck Series signals not only a bid for his first win but also offers the team stability and experience for the closing stretch of the season. With the owner‘s points transfer solidified and a committed lineup including Raja Caruth and competitive Chevrolet Silverados, Spire Motorsports positions itself for a robust championship pursuit while LaJoie chases a long-awaited breakthrough in NASCAR competition.
