Corey_LaJoie

Corey LaJoie

Corey LaJoie

American racing driver (born 1991)


Corey Daniel LaJoie (born September 25, 1991) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Spire Motorsports and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire. LaJoie is the son of two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion Randy LaJoie. He was formerly a development driver for Richard Petty Motorsports and JGL Racing.

Quick Facts Born, Height ...

Racing career

LaJoie started his racing career in 1996, competing in kart racing events; winning 19 times on both dirt and asphalt tracks. He moved in 2003 to the INEX Bandolero series, scoring twelve wins and winning the series' Summer Shootout Championship. LaJoie began racing Legends cars in 2005, and in 2006 moved to the Aaron's Pro Challenge Series, where he won 10 of 12 races that year.[1]

LaJoie's No. 07 NASCAR Camping World East Series car at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in 2009

Between 2007 and 2009, LaJoie competed in the UARA-Stars Late Model Touring Series; scoring one win and ten top-ten finishes in 17 starts in the series.[1] In 2009, he made his debut in the NASCAR Camping World East Series at Thompson Speedway;[2] LaJoie remained in the series through the 2012 season, scoring his first win in the series in June 2012 at Bowman Gray Stadium;[3] He scored four additional wins over the course of the season, finishing the year second in points.[4]

LaJoie, who had been named to the 2012 NASCAR Next class of up-and-coming drivers,[5] entered the 2013 season with only a limited schedule planned, including selected NASCAR Nationwide Series races for Tommy Baldwin Racing,[6] however in June it was announced that he had signed with Richard Petty Motorsports as a development driver, with plans to run in the Nationwide Series later that year.[7] In addition, LaJoie ran a limited schedule in the ARCA Racing Series in the second half of 2013, winning his first start of the year, and second career start, at Chicagoland Speedway in July,[8] and then in his next race at Pocono Raceway in August.[9]

In November 2013, LaJoie made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway, driving the No. 9 Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports.[10] He was involved in an accident during the race and finished 34th.

In June 2014, LaJoie joined Biagi-DenBeste Racing to drive five races, starting at Kentucky. LaJoie struggled in these races, crashing in three of them. In September 2014, LaJoie made his Sprint Cup Series debut in the Sylvania 300 at Loudon, racing for Randy Humphrey Racing.[11]

LaJoie returned to NASCAR in 2016, driving the No. 24 Toyota Camry for JGL Racing in the Xfinity Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway.[12]

In 2017, LaJoie returned to the Cup Series and signed with BK Racing, driving the No. 83 Camry part-time.[13] Trying to make the 2017 Daytona 500 as an Open team (without a charter, thus no starting spot guaranteed) with BK Racing, LaJoie was turning his first laps at Daytona International Speedway during the Can-Am Duels due to practice being rained out.[14] Trailing Reed Sorenson, the only other Open driver, with under fifteen laps to go, LaJoie spun out Sorenson in the tri-oval, ensuring himself a spot in the 500[15] and making Paul Menard start at the back of the field as Menard was also involved in the crash and had to start in a backup car. After the race, LaJoie said that "I do feel bad"[16] and that "if that was my mom, I'd probably spin her out to make the Daytona 500 too." Sorenson was incensed after the incident, calling the crash "moronic" and "pretty crappy" while saying that LaJoie could have hurt somebody with reckless driving.[17]

In 2018, LaJoie moved from BK Racing to TriStar Motorsports for a part-time schedule, splitting the No. 72 with Cole Whitt.[18] LaJoie entered the 2018 season with high hopes in the Daytona 500, and qualified 32nd for the 500, but unfortunately blew an engine on lap nine. He made his second start for the team at ISM Raceway in March, once again blowing an engine early in the race. In the Coca-Cola 600, LaJoie went as high as eighth but finished 26th. At year’s end, TriStar shut down, throwing LaJoie out of his part-time ride.

LaJoie practicing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2019

LaJoie joined Go Fas Racing's No. 32 Ford in 2019.[19] For the 2019 Daytona 500, Go Fas Racing made headlines by placing a picture of LaJoie's face on the No. 32 car as part of Old Spice's sponsorship. LaJoie finished 18th after blowing a right-front tire just 20 laps into the race.[20][21] He scored two top tens during the year with a sixth at Daytona's Coke Zero Sugar 400 and seventh at Talladega's 1000Bulbs.com 500.[22][23]

He returned to the No. 32 for 2020 on a one-year contract extension.[24] In the Daytona 500, LaJoie impacted an airborne Ryan Newman coming to the finish, denting LaJoie's windshield and knocking the wind out of him; LaJoie, who finished eighth, was ultimately uninjured while Newman was briefly hospitalized.[25] On August 21, LaJoie announced that he will part ways with Go Fas Racing at the end of the 2020 season.[26]

LaJoie racing at Daytona International Speedway in 2021

LaJoie moved to Spire Motorsports' No. 7 on a multi-year agreement beginning in 2021.[27] LaJoie missed the FireKeepers Casino 400 due to COVID-19 protocols; LaJoie was close to a person testing positive for COVID-19 from his Stacking Pennies podcast studio while he was unvaccinated at the time.[28]

LaJoie’s No. 7 car at Sonoma Raceway in 2022

On March 15, 2022, crew chief Ryan Sparks was suspended for four races due to a tire and wheel loss during the 2022 Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix.[29] At Atlanta, LaJoie led a career-best 19 laps and was on his way to claiming his first career win with two laps to go when Chase Elliott overtook him and blocked him on the high side, causing him to brush the wall and spin before colliding with Kurt Busch and finishing the race in 21st place.[30]

LaJoie started the 2023 season with a 16th place finish at the 2023 Daytona 500. He showed huge improvement over the past season with more consistent top-20 and top-30 finishes. On May 30, LaJoie was announced as the substitute driver of the Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 at Gateway after Chase Elliott was suspended for one race for intentionally wrecking Denny Hamlin at Charlotte. Carson Hocevar filled in for the No. 7, making his Cup Series debut.[31] He finished 25th in the points standings, his highest points finish in his career, and was the only driver to not have had a single DNF throughout the 2023 season.

From 2020 to 2023, LaJoie was represented by Athelo Group, a sports agency based out of Stamford, Connecticut.[32] In 2024, he signed with KHI Management.[33]

On April 21, 2024 at Talladega Superspeedway, LaJoie was attempting to avoid an accident on the last lap of the race through the tri-oval when he got turned by both Ryan Preece and Carson Hocevar after those two made contact which shot them both up into LaJoie. LaJoie spun up the track into Josh Berry and ramped onto Berry's car and LaJoie's car got turned over coming to the checkered flag, and LaJoie finished the race with his car on its side, scored in 18th. A few feet after the line, LaJoie's car rolled over back onto its wheels.

Personal life

LaJoie is a Christian.[34] His father, Randy LaJoie, is a two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion, winning the series title in 1996 and 1997.[35]

LaJoie was a host of Motor Racing Network's Sunday Money podcast alongside Daryl Motte and MRN's Lauren Fox, talking about racing and current events; LaJoie and Fox were classmates in high school.[36] In 2021, he began hosting his own podcast Stacking Pennies on NASCAR.com.[37]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Cup Series

More information NASCAR Cup Series results, Year ...
Daytona 500
More information Year, Team ...

Xfinity Series

More information NASCAR Xfinity Series results, Year ...

Craftsman Truck Series

More information NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results, Year ...

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points
2 LaJoie began the 2017 season racing for Cup Series points but switched to Xfinity Series points before the race at Homestead–Miami Speedway

K&N Pro Series East

More information NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results, Year ...

Whelen Modified Tour

More information NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour results, Year ...

Whelen Southern Modified Tour

More information NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour results, Year ...

ARCA Menards Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

More information ARCA Menards Series results, Year ...

References

  1. "Bio - About Corey "Supershoe" LaJoie". Corey LaJoie official website. 2013. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  2. Courchesne, Shawn (July 7, 2009). "Corey LaJoie Heading To Thompson International Speedway For Camping World East Debut Saturday". Hartford Courant. Hartford, CT. Archived from the original on June 24, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  3. Remillard, Jason (June 3, 2013). "Corey LaJoie wins first career NASCAR K&N Pro Series race at Bowman-Gray Stadium". The Republican. Springfield, MA. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  4. McGee, Ryan (December 25, 2012). "Corey LaJoie is NEXT". ESPN The Magazine. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  5. Norman, Brad (June 7, 2013). "NASCAR Next a diverse, accomplished class". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on June 13, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  6. ""Supershoe" LaJoie to Make Nationwide Series Debut with TBR/SLR Teams". Tommy Baldwin Racing. February 1, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  7. Estrada, Chris (June 2, 2013). "Strong NASCAR prospects join Petty development program". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  8. "Corey LaJoie wins ARCA race". ESPN. July 21, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  9. Pearce, Al (August 2, 2013). "Corey LaJoie wins ModSpace ARCA 125 at Pocono Raceway". Autoweek. Archived from the original on August 4, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  10. "Son of former champ to make Nationwide debut". Yahoo! Sports. November 12, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  11. "JGL Racing Announces Young Guns Program". Speedway Media. February 12, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  12. Spencer, Lee (January 23, 2017). "Lajoie to run partial Cup schedule with BK Racing". Motorsport.com. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  13. "Corey LaJoie admits he'd have wrecked his own mother to make Daytona 500 | FOX Sports". FOX Sports. February 23, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  14. "Reed Sorenson's Heart Breaks as Corey LaJoie Wrecks Him for Daytona 500 Spot". Frontstretch. February 23, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  15. "TriStar Motorsports sets lineup with LaJoie, Whitt | NASCAR.com". Official Site Of NASCAR. February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  16. Beaver, Dan (December 20, 2018). "Corey LaJoie named to drive for Go Fas Racing". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  17. Taranto, Steven (February 12, 2019). "NASCAR's Corey LaJoie puts own face on front of Daytona 500 car". 247Sports.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  18. King, Alanis (February 17, 2019). "Corey LaJoie faces the music". Jalopnik.com. Gizmodo Media Group. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  19. McFadin, Daniel (July 7, 2019). "What Drivers Said after Daytona". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  20. McFadin, Daniel (September 3, 2019). "Corey LaJoie staying with Go Fas Racing in 2020". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  21. Crandall, Kelly (February 20, 2020). "LaJoie explains Daytona crash with Newman". Racer. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  22. "Corey LaJoie says he won't return to Go Fas Racing in 2021". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. August 21, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  23. Utter, Jim (November 30, 2020). "Corey LaJoie joins Spire Motorsports for 2021 Cup season". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  24. Pockrass, Bob (August 23, 2021). "Navigating COVID-19 protocols is tricky for NASCAR, drivers". Fox Sports. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  25. "Phoenix Post-Race Penalties; Corey LaJoie Loses Crew Chief for 4 Weeks". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  26. Dorsey, Deja (July 10, 2022). "Corey LaJoie's 'Hail Mary' victory bid comes up just short at Atlanta". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  27. "Our Athlete Roster". Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  28. Gluck, Jeff (April 2, 2019). "12 Questions with Corey LaJoie (2019)". JeffGluck.com. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  29. Bonkowski, Jerry (May 1, 2019). "Randy LaJoie's crusade to keep grassroots racers safe". Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  30. Crandall, Kelly (October 8, 2019). "INSIGHT: How LaJoie found his voice in podcasting". Racer. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  31. "Introducing 'Stacking Pennies,' a new Corey LaJoie podcast". Dover International Speedway. February 9, 2021. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  32. "Corey LaJoie – 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  33. "Corey LaJoie – 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  34. "Corey LaJoie – 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  35. "Corey LaJoie – 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  36. "Corey LaJoie – 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  37. "Corey LaJoie – 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  38. "Corey LaJoie – 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  39. "Corey LaJoie – 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  40. "Corey LaJoie – 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  41. "Corey LaJoie – 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  42. "Corey LaJoie – 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  43. "Corey LaJoie – 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  44. "Corey LaJoie – 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  45. "Corey LaJoie – 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  46. "Corey LaJoie – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  47. "Corey LaJoie – 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  48. "Corey LaJoie – 2009 NASCAR Camping World East Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  49. "Corey LaJoie – 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  50. "Corey LaJoie – 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  51. "Corey LaJoie – 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  52. "Corey LaJoie – 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  53. "Corey LaJoie – 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  54. "Corey LaJoie – 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  55. "Corey LaJoie – 2012 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  56. "Corey LaJoie – 2015 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  57. "Corey LaJoie – 2022 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  58. "Corey LaJoie – 2023 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  59. "Corey LaJoie – 2010 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  60. "Corey LaJoie – 2011 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  61. "Corey LaJoie – 2012 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  62. "Corey LaJoie – 2009 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  63. "Corey LaJoie – 2013 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  64. "Corey LaJoie – 2023 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 18, 2023.

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