Corey LaJoie, currently 28th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, will not return as the driver of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports car at the end of the 2024 season.
LaJoie, who has a contract with Spire Motorsports through next year but is now free to explore other opportunities, confirmed the news to FOX Sports, following an initial report from The Athletic.
“I will not be driving the No. 7 next year,” LaJoie said. “I am very proud of the role I have played in helping Spire become a competitive team, but unfortunately, my future lies elsewhere.
“We are committed to finishing the remainder of 2024 strong, delivering for my partners, hard-working team members and all the fans and supporters who have been with me since the beginning of my Cup Series journey. This chapter will close after Phoenix and I look forward to what the future holds for my family.”
Thirty-two-year-old LaJoie has competed in 258 Cup races since 2017, with his best finish of 25th in 2023, when he averaged 20.8 finishes. This year, he averaged 22.7 finishes and is currently 28th in the standings.
Having joined Spire in 2021 as its first full-time driver, LaJoie has been instrumental in the team’s development. Spire announced that Stewart-Haas Racing’s Rodney Childers will take over as crew chief for the No. 7 car next season. Additionally, Spire will expand to a three-car operation, with Michael McDowell replacing Zane Smith in the No. 71 car and Carson Hocevar continuing in the No. 77 car.
“Corey LaJoie has been a pillar of Spire Motorsports since 2021, and his contributions cannot be overstated,” said Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire Motorsports, in a statement. “Corey has poured his heart and soul into this team, helping to build it from the ground up.”
LaJoie’s current chief mechanic, Ryan Sparks, will transition into the race director role, and with the arrival of Childers, Spire decided the time was right for a driver change.
“This is a performance-driven industry, and despite the challenges, we made this decision with careful consideration,” Dickerson explained. “With Ryan moving forward and Rodney joining next season, a fresh start for the No. 7 car in 2025 is the best path forward for Spire Motorsports.
“Corey deserves another opportunity to showcase his abilities and we will support him in securing a new position in the Cup garage. I have faith in Corey's talent and look forward to seeing him prove his detractors wrong.”