Corey Daniel LaJoie Bio
Corey Daniel LaJoie (born September 25, 1991) is an American professional stock car racing driver and analyst for NASCAR on Prime Video. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driving the Nos. 07 and 77 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs for Spire Motorsports and part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series driving the No. 01 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing. LaJoie is the son of two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion Randy LaJoie and has been involved in racing since a young age.
Early Life and Background
Corey LaJoie was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, into a racing family. His father, Randy LaJoie, is a two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion, which provided Corey with early exposure to motorsports. He began his racing career in 1996, competing in kart racing events where he won 19 races on both dirt and asphalt tracks. This early success laid the foundation for his progression in racing.
In 2003, LaJoie moved to the INEX Bandolero series, securing twelve wins and winning the series’ Summer Shootout Championship. He advanced to Legends cars in 2005 and then to the Aaron’s Pro Challenge Series in 2006, where he dominated by winning 10 of 12 races. Between 2007 and 2009, he competed in the UARA-Stars Late Model Touring Series, earning one win and ten top-ten finishes in seventeen starts. LaJoie’s early career was marked by consistent success across multiple racing disciplines.
Path to NASCAR
LaJoie made his debut in the NASCAR Camping World East Series in 2009 and remained active through the 2012 season. He secured his first series win in June 2012 at Bowman Gray Stadium and added four more wins that year, finishing second in the points standings. In 2013, he ran a limited schedule in the ARCA Racing Series, winning his first start of the year at Chicagoland Speedway and following it with another victory at Pocono Raceway.
In 2012, LaJoie was named to the NASCAR Next class of up-and-coming drivers. He signed with Richard Petty Motorsports as a development driver in 2013, making his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway that November. Although his debut ended with a 34th-place finish due to an accident, it marked the beginning of his national NASCAR career.
Corey Daniel LaJoie Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
LaJoie’s early NASCAR career included a part-time schedule in the Nationwide Series with Tommy Baldwin Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports. In 2014, he joined Biagi-DenBeste Racing for five races but faced challenges, including multiple crashes. He made his Sprint Cup Series debut in September 2014 at the Sylvania 300 for Randy Humphrey Racing.
After a brief hiatus, LaJoie returned to NASCAR in 2016, driving the No. 24 Toyota Camry for JGL Racing in the Xfinity Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway. These years were formative as he gained experience in top-tier NASCAR series and developed his skills against strong competition.
NASCAR Cup Series Breakthrough (2017–2020)
LaJoie returned to the Cup Series in 2017 with BK Racing, driving the No. 83 Camry part-time. His attempt to qualify for the 2017 Daytona 500 was notable; during the Can-Am Duels, he secured a spot by spinning out competitor Reed Sorenson in a controversial move. Despite criticism, this secured his place in NASCAR’s premier event.
In 2018, LaJoie moved to TriStar Motorsports for a part-time schedule, facing mechanical issues but showing potential with competitive runs such as reaching eighth place in the Coca-Cola 600. After TriStar Motorsports shut down, he joined Go Fas Racing in 2019. That year, he made headlines with a unique Old Spice-sponsored car featuring his face and earned two top-ten finishes.
LaJoie continued with Go Fas Racing in 2020, achieving an eighth-place finish in the Daytona 500 despite a dramatic crash involving Ryan Newman. He announced his departure from the team at the end of the season, seeking new opportunities.
Spire Motorsports Era (2021–2024)
Beginning in 2021, LaJoie signed a multi-year deal with Spire Motorsports, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet. His tenure included notable moments such as leading a career-best 19 laps at Atlanta in 2022 and narrowly missing his first Cup Series win after a late-race spin. He also endured multiple flips in 2024, becoming the first driver since 1993 to flip twice in one season.
LaJoie showed consistent improvement, highlighted by his highest career points finish of 25th in 2023 and being the only driver without a single DNF that season. In 2024, he announced a move to Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51 car for the remainder of the season and plans to run part-time in 2025 with the No. 01 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
Driving Style and Strengths
Corey LaJoie is known for his aggressive yet strategic driving style, excelling on superspeedways and intermediate tracks. His race craft allows him to navigate tight racing situations effectively, and his ability to work with various crew chiefs has helped him maintain competitive performances despite varying team resources.
Notable Races and Milestones
LaJoie’s career highlights include his dramatic qualification for the 2017 Daytona 500, leading laps at Atlanta in 2022, and surviving multiple flips in 2024 without injury. His first career NASCAR win came early in his career with the 2010 Atlanta 150, and he secured a notable victory at the 2022 Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200.
Corey Daniel LaJoie Career Wins
Throughout his career, Corey LaJoie has earned wins across various series, including early success in the ARCA Racing Series and regional late model events. His first major win was the 2010 Atlanta 150, and he added the 2022 Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 to his accomplishments, showcasing his versatility and competitiveness.
ARCA and Regional Series Highlights
LaJoie won his first ARCA race at Chicagoland Speedway in 2013 and followed with another victory at Pocono Raceway the same year. His regional racing success includes multiple wins in the INEX Bandolero series and the Aaron’s Pro Challenge Series, where he dominated with ten wins in 2006.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his ARCA and regional wins, LaJoie has been competitive in NASCAR’s national series, earning top-ten finishes and leading laps in the Cup Series. His resilience and growth have been evident as he continues to compete part-time in multiple NASCAR series.
Corey Daniel LaJoie Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Corey LaJoie comes from a strong racing lineage as the son of Randy LaJoie, a two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion. This family background has been influential in his development as a driver and his passion for motorsports.
Personal Life
Corey LaJoie is married to Kelly LaJoie and they have three sons: Levi Ronnie LaJoie, Jenson Daniel LaJoie, and Pierce Jackson (PJ) LaJoie. He is a Christian and has engaged with fans and the racing community through hosting podcasts such as the Motor Racing Network’s Sunday Money and his own Stacking Pennies podcast on NASCAR.com.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Corey LaJoie is set to run a part-time schedule in the NASCAR Cup Series with Rick Ware Racing, driving the No. 01 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. He will also compete in nine NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races for Spire Motorsports. Additionally, LaJoie will serve as an analyst for Amazon Prime Video’s NASCAR coverage, expanding his role within the sport beyond driving.
LaJoie’s 2025 season is anticipated to be a blend of competitive racing and media engagement, leveraging his experience and insights to contribute both on and off the track. His return to Spire Motorsports in the Truck Series highlights his versatility and commitment to maintaining a strong presence in NASCAR.
