Corey LaJoie recently turned to Hall of Famer Carl Edwards for guidance ahead of racing the No.99 Ford at the Daytona 500, seeking any advice for tackling the crown jewel event. Emphasizing the unique challenge of Daytona, Edwards offered candid and unconventional advice to LaJoie, highlighting the significance of strategy and decision-making at the iconic track, setting the tone for RFK Racing’s upcoming campaign.
Insights from Carl Edwards: Lessons for the No.99 at Daytona
Carl Edwards, known for piloting the No.99 Roush car throughout his career from 2004 to 2014, came agonizingly close to capturing the Cup title in 2011 before losing to Tony Stewart on a tiebreaker. During his time in the No.99 car, Edwards earned 23 out of his 28 career Cup wins but never managed to secure a Daytona 500 victory. When LaJoie asked Edwards for Daytona-specific wisdom, the Hall of Famer delivered his advice with a personal touch and humor:
“What would Carl do? I’d just pick the other lane, and then it’s probably pretty good. I’ve seen you run at Daytona. You’re going to be fast as heck in the 99.”
– Carl Edwards, Hall of Fame Driver
“It was always an honour to drive that 99 for Jack Roush and now you’ve got Brad on board, you’ve got teammates. I mean to see Preece the other night, that emotion, I think you guys are poised to do some good. If you could bring that thing home as a Daytona 500 winner, man, I’d be so happy for you,”
he added. – Carl Edwards, Hall of Fame Driver
Corey LaJoie demonstrated competitiveness in last year’s Daytona 500 opener, leading laps before being involved in a final lap incident. For 2024, LaJoie will again take the wheel of the No.99 Ford, aiming to deliver a breakthrough result for RFK Racing at the famed event.
RFK Racing Strategy and Team Dynamics
RFK Racing, under the leadership of co-owner Brad Keselowski, opted to field an additional fourth entry for the Daytona 500, a move intended to bolster alliances in the face of a competitive grid. The team enters Daytona on the heels of positive momentum, most notably with teammate Ryan Preece’s recent victory in the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. During qualifying, LaJoie substituted for Keselowski but did not make the main field, while fellow teammate Chris Buescher finished in the top ten, securing eighth place, all contributing to RFK Racing’s collaborative approach for the upcoming race.
Corey LaJoie Steps In for Henderson Motorsports at Daytona Truck Series
Beyond the Cup event, Corey LaJoie is also scheduled to compete in the Daytona Truck Series race with Henderson Motorsports, filling in for Parker Kligerman’s spot. Kligerman had clinched victory at Daytona before being disqualified due to a ride height infraction, resulting in Corey Heim being named the winner. LaJoie spoke about stepping into this role with enthusiasm:
“Parker is a good friend, and it’s cool to pick up the baton from where he left off last year,”
Corey LaJoie said,
“Debbie Henderson-Creasy and Chris Carrier have the passion to continue Charlie’s legacy, and there’s no better place to do that than the World Center of Racing…..We’re ready to put the 75 in the wind and see what we’ve got.”
– Corey LaJoie, Race Driver
Meanwhile, Parker Kligerman found a second opportunity at Daytona by substituting for the injured Connor Zilisch in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, successfully completing the race for the team despite the earlier setback.
What Lies Ahead for Corey LaJoie and RFK Racing
The anticipation around Corey LaJoie’s Daytona 500 drive, paired with guidance from racing luminaries such as Carl Edwards, signals a pivotal season for RFK Racing. With established teammates like Chris Buescher and recent wins energizing the crew, the team is intent on capitalizing at Daytona and making a mark on NASCAR’s premier stage. LaJoie’s involvement across multiple series highlights his determination, while the team’s expanded strategy under Brad Keselowski aims to deliver a collective edge in stock car racing’s most storied event.
