The choice to not retain LaJoie, 32, was particularly stunning as when Spire introduced its rent of veteran crew chief Rodney Childers starting subsequent season, it was to be crew chief for LaJoie and the No. 7 Chevrolet.
LaJoie has been a fixture at Spire since 2021 and has 4 top-five and 6 top-10 finishes over 4 seasons, together with a fourth-place end on this yr’s Daytona 500.
A brand new full-time driver for the No. 7 might be introduced at a later date, the crew stated.
Assertion from Spire Motorsports
“Corey LaJoie has been a cornerstone of Spire Motorsports since 2021 and it could be unattainable to overstate what he’s meant to this group and the way a lot I’ve agonized over this determination,” stated crew co-owner Jeff Dickerson.
“Corey put his coronary heart and soul into this crew. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work earlier than we had a race store, a toolbox and even our personal automobiles. These days, trying again, had been a lot easier than the place we’re in our journey now.
“Again then, we simply wished to get to the race observe. At present, we’re consumed with persistently battling for top-10 finishes and contending for wins within the close to future.”
Corey LaJoie, Spire Motorsports, Gainbridge Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
LaJoie was not quoted in Spire’s information launch however he supplied a press release to The Athletic earlier Thursday through which he confirmed his departure however vowed to “end the rest of 2024 sturdy.”
It was lower than one yr in the past – August 2023 – that Spire introduced a multi-year contract extension with LaJoie.
“In racing, there are at all times variables however one factor everyone knows, is it is a performance-based enterprise, and it simply hasn’t been there for a number of causes,” Dickerson stated. “All these causes are factored in on the subject of making a choice of this magnitude.
“With Ryan (Sparks) transferring upstairs, and Rodney (Childers) coming in subsequent season, one of the best factor for Spire Motorsports is a clear slate for the No. 7 automobile in 2025. Corey deserves a contemporary look from one other group, too, and we’ll do the whole lot we are able to to assist him get one other alternative within the Cup storage.”
LaJoie has 258 begins within the Cup Sequence over 9 seasons, 22 begins in Xfinity and 5 in Vans. He has neve received a NASCAR nationwide collection race.
