For the first time in six years, Corey LaJoie won’t be a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver. After losing his Spire Motorsports seat and being shuffled to Rick Ware Racing (RWR) late in 2024, LaJoie found himself without a stable ride for 2025.
But instead of dropping down to the Xfinity or Truck Series like many displaced Cup drivers, LaJoie refuses to race anywhere but NASCAR’s top level—even if it means a part-time schedule with long odds of success.
“It’s all about Sunday. I don’t want to go run F3. I want to be a Formula 1 driver,” LaJoie bluntly stated.
For better or worse, LaJoie is staying in Cup. But is that the right move—or career suicide?
LaJoie’s Cup Career Hits a Wall—What Went Wrong?
LaJoie worked his way up the Cup ranks with a grinder mentality, running for underdog teams and occasionally flashing potential in the right situations.
- Spent nearly three years with Spire Motorsports (2021–2024), helping elevate the organization.
- Showed flashes of competitiveness at superspeedways but lacked consistency.
- Swapped to RWR for the final seven races of 2024, where he finished as high as 14th.
Still, when the 2025 offseason rolled around, rides filled up fast.
- Spire Motorsports chose to move forward with Justin Haley, Carson Hocevar, and Michael McDowell.
- Rick Ware Racing opted to put team owner Rick Ware’s son, Cody Ware, in the No. 51 instead of LaJoie.
With no full-time Cup seats available, LaJoie was left with two choices:
- Drop down to Xfinity or Trucks, where he could likely contend for wins.
- Stay in Cup part-time, knowing he’s unlikely to compete for victories.
LaJoie chose option two, and he’s making no apologies for it.
Why LaJoie Refuses to Race Xfinity or Trucks
Most displaced Cup drivers take the logical route—they step down to Xfinity or Trucks, prove their worth, and try to work their way back up.
But LaJoie wants no part of that, even though he ran three Truck races for Spire in 2023 and 2024 and looked competitive.
“Do you want to go pump the ego up and hold a trophy on a Friday when there’s 12 people in the grandstands? No.”
Instead, he believes that even running mid-pack in Cup is more valuable than winning in lower divisions.
“I can’t also justify to my partners that have been invested in me to go down to the lower divisions because they don’t get return for their money. They want to bring their people to the big show, not to a Friday or Saturday show.”
For LaJoie, being a Cup driver—even a part-time one—means more than winning in Trucks or Xfinity.
And he’s not alone in that mindset.
Are Xfinity and Trucks Really “Lesser” Series? Fans Are Split
LaJoie’s comments sparked debate among NASCAR fans.
On one hand, many understand his desire to remain in Cup—even if it’s only for select races in an unchartered Rick Ware Racing car.
But others feel he’s too dismissive of Xfinity and Trucks, which aren’t just “minor leagues” but competitive series with their own prestige.
- Justin Allgaier went from a struggling Cup driver to a multi-time Xfinity title contender.
- Daniel Hemric and Harrison Burton dropped from Cup to lower tiers to reset their careers.
- Randy LaJoie, Corey’s own father, won two Xfinity championships after failing to stick in Cup.
Unlike Formula 1’s feeder system, NASCAR’s lower tiers are filled with a mix of rising stars and veterans who chose stability over Cup’s constant grind.
For some, that’s a respectable career choice.
For LaJoie? That’s not an option.
Will LaJoie’s Cup-Only Gamble Pay Off?
LaJoie enters 2025 without a guaranteed spot in any race. His No. 01 Ford Mustang for RWR isn’t chartered, meaning he has to qualify for every event he enters.
His first test? The Daytona 500.
With limited seat time, a low-tier car, and no full-season plan, LaJoie is taking a massive risk.
If he doesn’t perform, he risks becoming irrelevant in a sport where sponsorship dollars dictate opportunities.
But if he can survive long enough to land a better ride in 2026, maybe—just maybe—he’ll prove that staying in Cup at all costs was the right call.
