Corey LaJoie provides major update on future NASCAR plans, 2026 Daytona 500

Corey LaJoie found himself without a full-time NASCAR ride after Spire Motorsports released him following the 2024 season. A full-time ride in the Cup Series did not emerge for LaJoie during the offseason, though he has made four starts for Rick Ware Racing in 2025.

LaJoie, 33, has remained involved in NASCAR through his “Stacking Pennies” podcast, as well as serving as an on-air analyst for Prime Video‘s inaugural season of NASCAR coverage. As for his future as a driver, LaJoie said on the most recent episode of his podcast that he would “entertain the conversation” if the right opportunity came across him. LaJoie emphasized there are other things grabbing his attention that he wants to pursue.

“I like doing TV. I think I’m gonna start up this carbon fiber business, and if NASCAR wants to keep doing the show, I’ll keep doing the show because I like doing it and having the platform to talk about life and racing,” LaJoie said, via Joseph Srigley of TobyChristie.com. “But yeah, Trucks aren’t particularly fun to drive, and also like smashing my head up against the wall, metaphorically. Like, you’re fighting a battle that is just, if you’re not doing it yourself, you deal with all the bullsh*t. We can’t do a new body build. Well, we can’t build it this way because GM this, and simulation that.

“So, if I had a really good opportunity call, then sure, I’ll entertain the conversation, but there’s like ten other things that I could be doing right now to start what the next chapter looks like, and I think I’m going to start focusing on that.”

LaJoie added that he doesn’t see an opportunity to get back to the Cup level, which he would prefer: “There’s really not any [opportunities] because — it is just what it is, right? You get out of them, you lose your seat. The music stops, and they put somebody else that’s cheaper and comparable, that can do the same job.”

Corey LaJoie’s NASCAR future is up in the air

LaJoie never quite found consistency during his four-year stint driving the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire. Justin Haley, who replaced LaJoie, has found life difficult in that car this season.

LaJoie has made five Truck Series starts this season for Spire, compiling four top 10s. He will make four more Truck Series starts before the end of the season. His next start comes Friday, Oct. 3, at the Charlotte ROVAL. LaJoie made it clear he’s not entertaining any full-time Truck Series offers.

When it comes to the Daytona 500, however, LaJoie is all ears. LaJoie initially funded his 2025 Daytona 500 ride with RWR before his sponsors came in with last-minute funding. He led 10 laps, finishing 22nd.

“I’ll entertain Daytona 500 offers because I think I can compete for a win in a decent car there, and [I] made the race the hard way a couple of times,” LaJoie said. “So, I think I bring some value to a team, and you could also make about a year’s worth of pay in one week. So, I’ll look at that, but yeah, like Truck Series offers, I’m not entertaining.”