Confidence is essential in motorsports, but Corey LaJoie’s latest remarks may have crossed the line from self-assurance to self-sabotage. The Rick Ware Racing driver didn’t just dismiss NASCAR’s lower-tier series—he outright disrespected them, igniting a firestorm of criticism from within the NASCAR community.
LaJoie’s stance? He’d rather finish 20th in a Cup Series race than win in Xfinity or Trucks in front of “12 people.” The fallout? Explosive.
LaJoie’s Harsh Comments: “I’d Rather Finish 20th in Cup”
Appearing on Door Bumper Clear, LaJoie made it abundantly clear that he has no interest in stepping down to Xfinity or Trucks—even after a disastrous 2024 season that saw him lose his full-time Cup ride.
“I would rather finish 20th in a Cup Series race on Sundays than compete in the Xfinity or Truck Series,” LaJoie stated, dismissing lower-tier victories as meaningless due to the lack of crowd attendance.
To many, this came off as not just arrogant, but outright insulting to the drivers, teams, and fans of NASCAR’s feeder series.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Camp Fires Back: “Whiny B*h”**
One of the most vocal responses came from Karsyn Elledge, a Dale Earnhardt Jr. employee who didn’t hold back her thoughts:
“I mean, I think he’s just a whiny b*h. That’s what I think.”**
She wasn’t alone in her sharp criticism. Even Josh Reaume, owner of Reaume Brothers Racing, took offense, calling LaJoie’s remarks “disrespectful”.
Meanwhile, the Door Bumper Clear podcast crew mocked LaJoie’s stance with sarcasm:
“I don’t understand what he has against the fans. I don’t know why he doesn’t want to race in front of 12 people.”
LaJoie’s Career Spiral: A Self-Inflicted Roadblock?
Let’s be honest—Corey LaJoie’s 2024 season was a disaster.
- Struggled at Spire Motorsports before parting ways.
- Signed a short-term deal with Rick Ware Racing—a move widely seen as a desperation play.
- Now relegated to a part-time Cup schedule in 2025, with limited opportunities.
With his Cup Series future already in jeopardy, many believe burning bridges with Xfinity and Trucks is a reckless move.
Even LaJoie himself admitted his career hasn’t lived up to expectations:
“It doesn’t surprise me that my career isn’t what I thought it was going to be. I envisioned being wheel-to-wheel with those guys a decade ago… but sometimes I didn’t play my cards very well. I’m man enough to admit that.”
Yet, instead of embracing opportunities to rebuild his career, LaJoie appears stubbornly fixated on staying in Cup—at all costs.
Has LaJoie’s Cup Obsession Become a Career Roadblock?
The biggest question now: Has LaJoie’s unwavering commitment to Cup become his downfall?
Rather than viewing Xfinity or Trucks as a platform for redemption, LaJoie seems content with struggling at the back of the Cup field. But with his reputation taking major hits, and burned bridges piling up, how many more chances will he get?
At some point, Corey LaJoie will have to ask himself:
Is stubbornness worth losing your career over?
