A major change will take place at Spire Motorsports after the season finale at Phoenix. Corey LaJoie will not return to the Cup Series organization.
The Athletic writer Jordan Bianchi broke the news Thursday afternoon. He received a statement from LaJoie confirming the news. There was no additional information about plans for Spire Motorsports' No. 7 Chevrolet.
"I won't be driving the 7 car next year," LaJoie said in a statement. "I take a lot of satisfaction from having an integral part of building Spire into a respectable team on the grid, but unfortunately the future won't involve me.
"We will finish the remainder of 2024 strong, continuing to deliver for my partners, my guys who work hard to build good cars, family, fans & friends who have supported me since day one in the Cup Series.
"This chapter ends after Phoenix and I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for my family next."
Spire Motorsports confirmed LaJoie's statement Thursday afternoon with a statement sent to AltDriver and other outlets.
"Corey LaJoie has been a cornerstone of Spire Motorsports since?2021 and it would be impossible to overstate what he's meant to this organization and how much I've agonized over this decision," said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff?Dickerson.?"Corey put his heart and soul into this team. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work before we had a race shop, a toolbox, or even our own cars.
"Those days, looking back, were so much simpler than where we are in our journey now. Back then, we just wanted to get to the racetrack. Today, we're consumed with consistently battling for top-10 finishes and contending for wins in the near future.
"In racing, there are always variables but one thing we all know, is this is a performance-based business, and it just hasn't been there for several reasons. All those reasons are factored in when it comes to making a decision of this magnitude.
"With Ryan (Sparks) moving upstairs, and Rodney (Childers) coming in next season, the best thing for Spire Motorsports is a clean slate for the No. 7 car in 2025. Corey deserves a fresh look from another organization, too, and we'll do everything we can to help him get another opportunity in the Cup garage. I believe in Corey and his ability to be successful in this sport and look forward to him using this as motivation to prove all his doubters wrong."
LaJoie, 32, has been a driver in the Cup Series since the 2017 season. He spent time with multiple teams before joining Spire Motorsports in 2021. LaJoie has since helped the team grow while working with crew chief Ryan Sparks.
LaJoie has posted six of his nine career top-10 finishes and all four of his top-five finishes in the No. 7 Chevrolet. He also signed a multi-year contract extension last August to keep him at Spire Motorsports.
The veteran driver expressed confidence ahead of the season, saying that he needed to run in the 12th-18th range as he led an expanded three-car lineup. LaJoie also said that he would try to steal a win at a superspeedway.
The season has not gone as expected for LaJoie, who finished the 2023 campaign without a DNF. He only has one top-10 finish and an average finish of 22.7. He is 28th in points.
For comparison, rookie teammate Carson Hocevar has two top-10 finishes. He is 24th in points. Zane Smith, who is essentially on loan from Trackhouse Racing, has a season-best finish of second in a Spire Motorsports car.
Spire Motorsports listed LaJoie in their plans for 2025 in early July. The team announced the hiring of championship-winning crew chief Rodney Childers, saying that the veteran would take over the No. 7 Chevrolet next season.
"We are beyond excited to announce Rodney Childers as the crew chief for Corey LaJoie and Spire Motorsports' No. 7 team beginning in 2025," said Dickerson in a July 9 statement.
With LaJoie not returning next season, Spire Motorsports will move forward with Hocevar back in the lineup. Michael McDowell will make the move to the team after spending several seasons with Front Row Motorsports. The team will announce its third driver at a later date.