Corey LaJoie Eyes Daytona 500 Win with RFK Racing Boost

Corey LaJoie is set to take a significant step forward in his NASCAR career by joining RFK Racing for the 2026 season, aiming to showcase his true potential with top-tier equipment. His move to a well-established team comes as a critical opportunity to compete with championship-quality support at the Daytona 500, where he has shown promising performances in the past. This shift highlights the impact that superior machinery and organizational backing can have on a driver’s success, especially in a highly competitive environment like NASCAR.

LaJoie’s Journey Through Various Racing Teams

Before aligning with RFK Racing, LaJoie’s career featured stints with numerous smaller or less-funded teams such as Rick Ware Racing, Spire Motorsports, Go Fas Racing, TriStar Motorsports, BK Racing, and Randy Humphrey Racing. His limited resources and inconsistent equipment often concealed his driving abilities, leading to uncertainty among fans and insiders about whether his results reflected his talent or the competitiveness of his cars. Even an appearance for Hendrick Motorsports at Gateway in 2023 resulted in a mid-pack 21st-place finish, maintaining his reputation as a skilled driver hampered by circumstances rather than skill deficit.

Confidence Grows with Factory Support at Daytona

LaJoie will drive the No. 99 Ford Mustang for RFK Racing in the Daytona 500, joining a strong lineup that includes Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, and Ryan Preece—all proven superspeedway winners. This association brings a significant confidence boost, as LaJoie explained,

“It gives me a lot of confidence. I went down there with no friends and made the race as an Open car for the first time. I went there last year with relatively no friends with Rick, and we executed the Duels great, and we made the race.”

?Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Driver

“So to have more or less a factory-supported Ford car to try to make the race, and just strength in numbers is why RFK is doing it… I feel like we’re gonna have some good backup to put ourselves in a good position, but we also can’t let our guard down. We’ve got to press, and we’ve got to go attack to make sure we cover everybody else. But, for me, I go down there with all eyes focused on executing the details on Thursday night to be in the race.”

?Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Driver

His comments highlight the competitive environment at Daytona and the importance of collaboration among teammates in securing a strong starting position.

Near Miss at the Clash Race Demonstrates Competitive Fire

Earlier, LaJoie had the chance to drive Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford in the Clash event at Bowman Gray, an important warm-up before the Daytona 500. However, a fiercely contested Last Chance Qualifier saw LaJoie narrowly miss advancing to the main race. He battled tirelessly against AJ Allmendinger and Austin Cindric, but ultimately Josh Berry pulled ahead, clinching the qualifying spot. Despite LaJoie’s strong effort, Cindric edged out to secure the final position, leaving LaJoie just short of the Clash main event.

The Stakes for LaJoie and What Lies Ahead

The Daytona 500 represents more than just a prestigious race for Corey LaJoie—it is a moment to prove that his previous limitations were largely due to the quality of his equipment and team support. A strong performance with RFK Racing could validate the belief that LaJoie’s talent has been masked by less competitive machinery. Success at Daytona would likely secure him a more stable presence in the Cup Series for the 2026 season, while another disappointing run might suggest that his prior results remain an accurate reflection of his standing in the field.

As the season approaches, eyes will be on LaJoie and his chances of breaking through with a top-tier team. His journey underscores a common theme in NASCAR, where driver skill and team capability must align for true success.