Corey LaJoie’s journey in NASCAR has been shaped not just by his personal determination but also by the weight of family history, as his father Randy’s racing legacy brought more barriers than benefits. Despite being born into racing, LaJoie has argued that his prominent surname only increased expectations and made his climb more challenging, underlining the core of the Corey LaJoie racing struggle.
Advantages That Turned Out to Be Obstacles
For many drivers, entering the world of motorsports through family connections offers early advantages—insider knowledge, key relationships in the garages, and often financial support to nurture talent. Randy LaJoie, Corey’s dad, spent over twenty years competing in the Cup and Xfinity garages, earning respect through his 15 victories in the Busch Series and accumulating valuable experience. Yet, Corey’s journey tells a different story.
“It’s probably actually made my road harder,”
Corey LaJoie said in a 2019 interview with Frontstretch.
“People just think that my dad’s put me in all these race-winning cars.”
— Corey LaJoie, NASCAR driver
Unlike the fairy tale many would expect, LaJoie did not benefit from effortless entry into top-tier cars or high-profile development deals. Corey noted that during his ARCA days, making it to the racetrack often depended on marathon nights working alongside a friend, piecing together whatever resources they could find. While his father Randy maintained connections and could borrow parts when desperate, he never intervened with calls to influential figures such as Rick Hendrick or tried to secure his son a prime seat in elite K&N or ARCA teams.
Overcoming a Lack of Privilege and Proving Himself on the Track
Corey emphasized that he was never groomed as a star prospect, nor did team pipelines open naturally for him. He recalled that, despite his father’s racing reputation, he faced the same resource struggles, fighting for every opportunity.
“I had to do it the hard way, and I wasn’t able to get in one of those situations where I was driving a race-winning car,”
he explained, describing the persistence required throughout his career. — Corey LaJoie, NASCAR driver
Across his career, LaJoie estimates he could count on one hand the instances he began a race with a legitimate shot at victory. Memorable moments include a win driving a late model for Eddie Sharp at Rockingham, a streak of three victories with Randy Sears at the same track, and his sole K&N chance with MDM in the No. 41, which also resulted in a win. These rare opportunities, Corey highlighted, proved that when supplied with competitive equipment, he rose to the occasion.
The Reality of Battling for Recognition
For most of his time in the national NASCAR series, Corey believed the performance gap was never about talent—it was always about the machinery and support. He insisted that when called up for major races, he was rarely handed a car capable of contending for wins or even top-15 finishes. This, he said, had a defining effect on his professional growth and perception among fans and teams.
The narrative for young racers in his situation is often about an expedited path, carried along by family money or organized team development. Corey LaJoie, however, felt as if he was climbing a steep staircase, toolbox in hand, instead of riding the escalator most presumed for him. While the LaJoie name raised hopes and assumptions, the real experience was a solitary, hard-fought ascension that he says forged his resilience but left him with even more to prove as his career progressed.
What LaJoie’s Struggle Reveals About Racing Expectations
Corey LaJoie’s experience serves as a reminder that even a racing legacy can pose unexpected challenges, heightening pressures without delivering on the promise of easier roads. Instead of receiving benefits, LaJoie was met with skepticism, his achievements overshadowed by assumptions about privilege rather than persistence. As he continues in NASCAR, his story highlights the importance of recognizing the real nature of the Corey LaJoie racing struggle—and challenges longstanding misconceptions about what it means to be born into the sport.
