Corey LaJoie has never been one to follow the easy road. After a tumultuous 2024 season that saw him part ways with Spire Motorsports, struggle in a seven-race stint with Rick Ware Racing, and ultimately lose his full-time Cup Series seat, many expected LaJoie to take a step down to Xfinity or Trucks in 2025. Instead, the driver of the No. 01 RWR Ford has doubled down on his commitment to competing in the NASCAR Cup Series—even if it means running a limited schedule.
The backlash was immediate. Fans, officials, and even team owners from the Craftsman Truck Series criticized LaJoie’s decision. How, they wondered, could a driver without a single Cup win reject a chance to race in lower divisions, where he might actually contend for victories? Josh Reaume, owner of Reaume Brothers Racing, even lashed out publicly, calling LaJoie’s stance “disrespectful” to the development series.
But NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace, one of the sport’s most seasoned Xfinity drivers, has stepped in to defend LaJoie, flipping the narrative and exposing the harsh financial and competitive realities of stock car racing.
LaJoie’s Blunt Take on Xfinity and Trucks: “I Want to Compete Against the Best”
Corey LaJoie didn’t hold back when explaining his decision to reject a move down the NASCAR ladder, instead opting to fight for whatever Cup opportunities come his way.
“Do you wanna go and pump the ego up and hold a trophy on a Friday when there’s twelve people in the grandstands? No. I wanna compete against the best.” – Corey LaJoie
This comment sparked outrage. It wasn’t just a snub to Xfinity and Trucks—it was a direct shot at drivers in those series who have spent their careers grinding for wins, sometimes without ever making it to the Cup level. To many, LaJoie’s words came off as elitist and dismissive.
And the criticism wasn’t unfounded. LaJoie has never won a Cup race, nor has he been a consistent contender. His 2024 season was filled with on-track run-ins, including wrecking Jimmie Johnson at Kansas and feuding with Kyle Busch at Pocono. To some, his refusal to drop down and prove himself in Xfinity seemed like stubborn pride rather than a logical career move.
But Kenny Wallace saw it differently.
Kenny Wallace Defends LaJoie: “It’s the Bitter Truth”
Kenny Wallace, a nine-time Xfinity Series winner with 547 career Xfinity starts, knows what it’s like to fight for respect outside of the Cup Series. He understands why fans were offended by LaJoie’s remarks—but he also admits that LaJoie is right.
“Corey’s right, and it was hard for people to hear.” – Kenny Wallace
Wallace shared that despite his long and accomplished Xfinity career, people still questioned whether Xfinity was “real NASCAR”.
“People would say to me… ‘Is the Xfinity Series NASCAR?’ That would piss me off… would hurt my feelings. But they were right.”
Despite being one of the most successful drivers in Xfinity history, Wallace admitted that it didn’t compare to the Cup Series. And the reason wasn’t just prestige—it was money.
“All the money and all the eyes are on Sunday… I’m going to hurt some feelings today, but ain’t nobody give a flying f–k about the Xfinity Series or the Truck Series.” – Kenny Wallace
The financial aspect of LaJoie’s decision is undeniable. Wallace pointed out that even running mid-pack in Cup is far more lucrative than winning races in Xfinity.
“I ran 20th in the Cup Series all the time, and I made five times the money doing it… It’s all fine to hear that, ‘Oh, I’m winning in the Xfinity Series,’ but it does not pay the bills.”
This is the brutal reality of NASCAR. The Cup Series is where the big sponsors, big payouts, and big opportunities are. A driver can dominate in Xfinity or Trucks—but unless that dominance leads back to Cup, it’s a financial and career dead-end.
LaJoie’s Future: A Gamble Worth Taking?
LaJoie isn’t blind to his struggles. He knows that his Cup future is uncertain. But he’s also not willing to give up on the dream.
“I need to stick to my sponsors’ promises. They want me to go Cup racing, and I will oblige.” – Corey LaJoie
In 2025, LaJoie will drive a limited Cup schedule for Rick Ware Racing, one of the series’ smaller teams. It’s not an ideal situation, but it keeps him in the Cup garage, ensuring that his name is still in the conversation.
Kenny Wallace’s support has helped shift the narrative around LaJoie’s decision. Instead of being seen as delusional, he’s now viewed as a driver making a pragmatic choice in a cutthroat sport.
Fans, too, are rallying behind him, realizing that the Cup Series is where careers are made or broken. It’s no longer about how many wins a driver has—it’s about staying in the fight.
Final Thoughts: Is LaJoie’s Approach the Right One?
There are two ways to look at Corey LaJoie’s decision:
- The Traditional View – Many argue that dropping down to Xfinity or Trucks would allow LaJoie to rebuild his confidence, contend for wins, and prove he belongs in the Cup Series.
- The Modern Reality – With sponsor obligations, financial incentives, and Cup prestige, staying in Cup—even with a backmarker team—is the better long-term career move.
Regardless of which side you take, one thing is clear: LaJoie isn’t giving up. He’s taking the hardest path and betting on himself in the toughest series in NASCAR.
As Kenny Wallace said, “It’s the bitter truth.” But sometimes, the truth is exactly what needs to be heard.
