Corey LaJoie will not return to Spire Motorsports after this season, he confirmed Thursday.
The Athletic first reported the change.
In a statement Thursday, LaJoie said: “I won’t be driving the 7 car next year. I take a lot of satisfaction from having an integral part of building Spire into a respectable team on the grid, but unfortunately the future won’t involve me. We will finish the remainder of 2024 strong, continuing to deliver for my partners, my guys who work hard to build good cars, family, fans & friends who have supported me since day one in the Cup Series.
“This chapter ends after Phoenix and I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for my family next.”
The 32-year-old LaJoie joined Spire Motorsports in 2021. The organization announced in August 2023 a multi-year contract extension with LaJoie. Spire announced July 9 that it had hired Rodney Childers to be LaJoie’s crew chief for next season.
LaJoie is 28th in the season standings after finishing 14th last weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He has 258 career Cup starts. His best finish is fourth, which he most recently did in this year’s Daytona 500.
“Corey LaJoie has been a cornerstone of Spire Motorsports since 2021 and it would be impossible to overstate what he’s meant to this organization and how much I’ve agonized over this decision,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson in a statement. “Corey put his heart and soul into this team. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work before we had a race shop, a toolbox or even our own cars.
“Those days, looking back, were so much simpler than where we are in our journey now. Back then, we just wanted to get to the racetrack. Today, we’re consumed with consistently battling for top-10 finishes and contending for wins in the near future.
“In racing, there are always variables, but one thing we all know, is this is a performance-based business, and it just hasn’t been there for several reasons. All those reasons are factored in when it comes to making a decision of this magnitude.
“With Ryan (Sparks) moving upstairs, and Rodney (Childers) coming in next season, the best thing for Spire Motorsports is a clean slate for the No. 7 car in 2025. Corey deserves a fresh look from another organization, too, and we’ll do everything we can to help him get another opportunity in the Cup garage. I believe in Corey and his ability to be successful in this sport and look forward to him using this as motivation to prove all his doubters wrong.”
Spire has previously announced that Michael McDowell will join the organization next year, joining rookie Carson Hocevar.
Zane Smith, who is on loan from Trackhouse Racing, is driving the No. 71 car for Spire Motorsports this season. Nothing has been announced on his future. Trackhouse Racing also has Shane van Gisbergen on its roster but has had him running full-time in the Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing.