Corey LaJoie focused on changing the narrative, winning NASCAR race with Spire Motorsports

With nine races slated for Corey LaJoie in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Spire Motorsports, the goal is clear: Win. Nothing else will make LaJoie satisfied if he comes out of this group of races without a trophy to show for it.

Corey LaJoie made the jump from ARCA straight to the Cup Series. While other drivers in his age cohort spent time in the Xfinity and Truck Series, learning their craft in the lower series, LaJoie threw himself in the deep end.

In his career, LaJoie has only ever made 22 starts in the Xfinity Series and only five in the Truck Series. He hasn’t raced Xfinity since 2017. Before 2023, he hadn’t made a Truck Series start since 2014.

After LaJoie lost his ride at Spire Motorsports halfway through last season, the writing was on the wall. Getting a Cup Series ride again was going to be difficult. However, he passed up the No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing truck that Daniel Hemric now drives for the 2025 season. He also made some not-so-great comments about the lower series of NASCAR.

Today, ahead of his first Truck Series start of 2025, the Prime Video broadcaster was more reflective, more humble. He talked about what he wants to get out of this opportunity. It is simple, a win.

“I’m looking to just, be like – For myself, I want to win a national race,” Corey LaJoie said. “I mean, damn I’ve been pretty close on the biggest stages a couple of times, but at the end of the day, like, your perception within the garage as a winner is a lot different than finishing second. So, I think short order, win a couple of races. Just prove to myself what I’ve already known, but prove to everybody else that’s had faith in me along the way, that like, they were right.

“So, that’s objective number one. I’m not even thinking about objective number two, because it’s kind of like the right opportunity is gonna unfold. If it doesn’t, then you don’t take it. The right deal will come about if you go do your job and execute, and see what, see whatever the future holds.”

Corey LaJoie has had moments. The newly reconfigured Atlanta was his bread-and-butter in the Cup Series. However, he ran out of time to prove himself. Without a background in the lower series, he had nothing else to fall back on.

During this nine-race stretch, LaJoie is focused on letting go. He can’t control everything. In the past, LaJoie has tried to control too much. So, this weekend, in race one, he’s ready to let loose. Let the cards fall where they will.

“The more that I try to control, I’ve learned this after doing it for like 10, 12 years, the more that I hold on and try to work things out, the worse that it goes. So, I’m going to hold onto this thing loosely, I’m gonna race the hell out of this thing tomorrow at Michigan. Then go, keep it moving. You’ll see my mug on TV [on Prime Video].”

Can Corey LaJoie get it done in the Truck Series? The Spire Motorsports cars are perhaps not as good as they were in 2024. However, he should have plenty of speed to work with on the track tomorrow afternoon. Who knows, he might shock the NASCAR world.