Corey LaJoie has spent much of his career running for underfunded teams, carving out a niche in NASCAR without ever reaching the top-tier success of some of his peers. After parting ways with Spire Motorsports, the Concord, North Carolina-native has been reevaluating his path, blending media work, business ventures, and selective racing appearances. LaJoie’s focus is increasingly on major events like the Daytona 500, while smaller series opportunities, particularly in the Truck Series, are no longer enticing. His evolving approach has sparked debate among fans and insiders alike.
Key Highlights
Corey LaJoie is prioritizing the Daytona 500 over Truck Series opportunities in 2025.
LaJoie has appeared in four Cup Series races and nine Truck Series events this year.
He is pursuing media and business ventures, including a carbon fiber company.
Fan reactions have been critical of LaJoie’s current approach and performance history.
LaJoie acknowledges his NASCAR future is uncertain but remains open to major racing opportunities.
Corey LaJoie’s Career Transition
After eight years behind the wheel for various underfunded Cup Series teams, LaJoie found himself on the outside after leaving Spire Motorsports. His career has included sporadic Cup Series runs in 2025 with the No. 01 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing, as well as nine Truck Series races for Spire Motorsports. Now 33, LaJoie is charting a new direction, combining media work, business ventures, and selective racing with an eye on marquee events.
“I like doing TV. I think I’m gonna start up this carbon fiber business, and if NASCAR wants to keep doing the show, I’ll keep doing the show because I like doing it and having the platform to talk about life and racing.” – Corey LaJoie
NASCAR Fan Reactions and Criticism
Fans have expressed skepticism about LaJoie’s talent and motivations, often citing his preference for high-profile opportunities over consistent competition. Some have been bluntly dismissive:
“He thinks he’s an elite prospect still lol” – Fan Reaction
“No, deep down he knows he isn’t, and he knows he would be 100% exposed the moment he hops into a competitive truck.” – Fan Reaction
“Lajoie is not capable of kicking ass in a truck. He’s only interested in lottery ticket races in the Cup series at this point, because he has as good a shot as anyone else, and they pay a lot to win. Races that require talent to win are not going to be appealing to a driver with no talent.” – Fan Reaction
Other fans focused on his career statistics, drawing unfavorable comparisons to peers:
“If Lajoie had as much talent as he has arrogance he’d be a 10x champ instead of a guy with 18 top 10s across over 300 races.” – Fan Reaction
“Because JHN had the Talent. Corey Lajoie had 1 top ten on a real track in almost 10 years in cup.” – Fan Reaction
These reactions illustrate the divide between LaJoie’s self-perception and fan expectations, highlighting the pressure he faces as he navigates his NASCAR future.
Focus on the Daytona 500
Despite his pivot toward media and business, LaJoie remains open to competing in select high-profile events. The Daytona 500 remains his primary goal, a race where he believes he can still compete for a strong finish.
“I’ll entertain DAYTONA 500 offers because I think I can compete for a win in a decent car, and [I] made the race the hard way a couple of times. So, I think I bring some value to a team, and you could also make about a year’s worth of pay in one week. But yeah, like Truck Series offers, I’m not entertaining.” – Corey LaJoie
This selective focus demonstrates a strategic approach to racing, concentrating his efforts on the events with the most visibility and potential impact on his career.
Media and Business Ventures
In addition to racing, LaJoie has embraced opportunities outside the cockpit. His work as an analyst on Prime Video’s inaugural NASCAR season has allowed him to expand his presence within the sport, while his new carbon fiber business points to long-term entrepreneurial ambitions. LaJoie describes this phase of his career as a way to balance his love for racing with practical considerations about workload and personal satisfaction.
“Trucks aren’t particularly fun to drive, and also like smashing my head up against the wall, metaphorically…if I had a really good opportunity call, then sure, I’ll entertain the conversation, but there’s like ten other things that I could be doing right now to start what the next chapter looks like.” – Corey LaJoie
2025 Racing Schedule
LaJoie’s remaining 2025 NASCAR schedule includes four Truck Series events: Charlotte ROVAL (October 3), Talladega (October 17), Martinsville (October 24), and Phoenix (October 31). Beyond these dates, his racing plans remain uncertain, reflecting a broader shift toward selective competition and strategic career planning.
Balancing Legacy and Opportunity
As the son of two-time Busch Series champion Randy LaJoie, Corey carries a family legacy that shapes both fan expectations and his own ambitions. While he has faced criticism for his perceived focus on opportunistic races, his strategic approach to media, business, and select high-profile events represents an attempt to navigate the modern NASCAR landscape on his own terms.
News in Brief: Daytona or Bust: Fans Debate Corey LaJoie’s 2025 Plans
Corey LaJoie, following his release from Spire Motorsports, is pursuing a combination of NASCAR media work, a new carbon fiber business, and selective race opportunities, focusing on marquee events like the Daytona 500. In 2025, he has competed in four Cup Series races for Rick Ware Racing and nine Truck Series events for Spire Motorsports. LaJoie’s approach has drawn criticism from fans questioning his talent and priorities. He remains open to competitive offers for the Daytona 500 while declining additional Truck Series engagements.
