During the recent Truck Series event at Martinsville Speedway, Norm Benning and his team attributed his early-race spin to Corey LaJoie, intensifying the spotlight on the Corey LaJoie Truck Series storyline. The blend of miscommunications, competitive tensions, and ongoing career moves shaped the race’s narrative for both drivers involved.
Norm Benning’s incident unfolded quickly on lap 41 of the Slim Jim 200. Brenden Queen made contact with Benning’s No. 6 Chevrolet, which resulted in Benning spinning out. Visibly frustrated, Benning vented over the team radio, saying,
“That was awfully nice of him. … What a stupid ass. I was giving him the outside”
— Norm Benning, Driver
In the aftermath, Benning’s crew identified Corey LaJoie as the source of the contact. The situation elicited a heated response from the veteran, who stated about LaJoie,
“Stupid a**. That’s why he’s back in the Truck Series,” he said.
— Norm Benning, Driver
This episode comes directly after Benning’s fiery accident at Talladega Superspeedway, where his engine caught fire and he needed medical attention at the infield care centre. The back-to-back challenges reflected a turbulent period for the 73-year-old Pennsylvania racer, marking his 260th start in the Truck Series. Benning ultimately exited the Martinsville race with a 33rd-place finish, while Corey LaJoie secured fifth position in the same contest.
Corey LaJoie’s Ongoing Role and Contract Update
Corey LaJoie, a figure now central to ongoing Truck Series discussions, is currently running a nine-race schedule for Spire Motorsports this season. Earlier, he had been part of their Cup Series program before being moved aside during the 2024 season. His journey between series underlines the volatility and shifting opportunities within NASCAR, and highlights the importance of maintaining strong relations with teams like Spire Motorsports.
NASCAR’s Push for More Horsepower and Driver Perspectives
Recently, NASCAR revealed new horsepower regulations set to take effect in 2026. To address persistent criticisms of the Next Gen package, vehicles on tracks under 1.5 miles will see power increased to 750 horsepower. The decision aims to improve on-track competition and satisfy fan demand for higher-performance racing.
Corey LaJoie commented on this change in a recent episode of his Stacking Pennies podcast, sharing his mixed feelings:
“It is a change in the right direction. Yeah, I think it’s marginally better. I don’t think somebody sitting in the 12th row of the Grand Sands is going to notice anything different, but when you fire up Twitter and the fans collective narrative say, ‘Oh, they got more power.’ Then maybe it’s better.”
— Corey LaJoie, Driver and Podcaster
“But until they make the cars lighter, which I don’t see a a clear path for them to be able to do that and to take tire away from it and just take overall traction away from the cars, I think what we have is what we have for a while.”
— Corey LaJoie, Driver and Podcaster
LaJoie’s skeptical take on technical changes stresses the gap between incremental rule adjustments and broader reforms desired by both drivers and fans. NASCAR’s attempts to evolve may yield gradual improvements, but fundamental differences persist about what constitutes progress on the track.
LaJoie’s Future Prospects and Recent Performances
Amid this evolving landscape, Corey LaJoie continues searching for a Cup Series seat for next year’s Daytona 500. In this year’s race, he joined Rick Ware Racing, starting from the 12th position, leading 10 laps, and eventually finishing 22nd. Initially, LaJoie personally contributed funding to secure his position, only to have new sponsorship emerge at the last moment, easing the financial pressure.
Benning’s own recent challenges — from his fiery departure at Talladega to the controversial spin at Martinsville — illustrate the ongoing adversity faced by veteran drivers. Meanwhile, LaJoie’s navigation through both the Truck Series and Cup Series rides shows the career adaptability needed in modern NASCAR, especially in a year filled with technical rule changes and shifting team dynamics.
Looking ahead, the ripple effects from Martinsville — both on Benning’s reputation and LaJoie’s presence in the Truck Series — will likely remain a topic among NASCAR fans and insiders. As technical updates and team developments unfold, drivers like Corey LaJoie and Norm Benning continue shaping the sport’s unpredictable narrative.
