Corey Lajoie regrets ’12 followers’ remark he made about decrease NASCAR divisions

Earlier this yr simply earlier than the beginning of the 2025 season, Corey LaJoie confronted backlash for some feedback he made relating to the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Sequence. LaJoie had misplaced his full-time trip within the Cup Sequence and was committing to a part-time schedule in Cup, turning down full-time alternatives within the decrease divisions. 

Chatting with FOX Sports activities’ Bob Pockrass in January, he was requested about drivers who willingly select to step down from the Cup Sequence. “These guys that say they wish to attempt to win, they win one or two truck races a yr, after which they’re lifelong truck guys, they usually by no means get to race on Sunday,” he stated. “It’s all about Sunday. I don’t wanna go run F3, I wanna be a Components 1 driver.

“Do you wanna go pump the ego up and maintain a trophy on a Friday when there’s 12 folks within the grandstands? … I can’t additionally justify to my companions which were invested in me to go right down to the decrease divisions trigger they don’t get return for his or her cash. They wish to carry their folks to the large present, to not a Friday or Saturday present.”

These feedback weren’t acquired effectively and in hindsight, they’ve aged fairly badly. LaJoie not too long ago introduced a cope with Spire Motorsports to run 9 of the ultimate 13 Truck Sequence races as he helps them of their mission to safe the proprietor’s championship. So, what modified?

LaJoie regrets feedback he made throughout five-day quick

Forward of the Truck race at Michigan, LaJoie took half in a Friday press convention the place he addressed that very topic.

“I’ve stated quite a lot of dumb issues on digicam, in order that was simply one other one … So simply to clear context up for everyone, I stated that on the morning of a five-day quick,” revealed LaJoie. “I want I would not have added that ’12 (followers)’ remark bit, proper, as a result of then folks throughout the Truck storage took offense to it. Then … there’s so many issues that it got here out of, and it is such a damaging gentle for only a couple feedback that I stated once I was ‘hangry’”.

LaJoie went on to say that there was “no hesitation” in taking this Truck cope with Spire Motorsports

“I attempt to run as a lot as I can. Particularly, you already know, there are a whole lot, if not 1000s of children/drivers that might love this nine-race alternative … I’ll take it significantly. That is my shot, and l’ve been making a residing at this for 10 years. However I do not wish to simply be an also-ran and never take it significantly and be in the best way for someone who would possibly deserve it greater than I do. So I take all that into consideration. I am gonna strive all I’ve obtained.”

The purpose continues to be to be a Cup driver

Corey LaJoie, No. 01 Rick Ware Racing Ford

Picture by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Photos

LaJoie additional defined what prompted his fiery feedback, including: “My solely focus in my total life was to be a Cup Sequence driver. No, that is all I wish to do. That is all that I cared to work for since I used to be 12 years outdated, proper? I used to be actually pissed off and hungry, however that was my focus is to attempt to get again to Sunday with the precise group.

“However now, that is like, enjoyable. I have been working some modified races, some late mannequin races. I wish to have enjoyable as a result of the Cup storage takes quite a lot of the enjoyable out of it. It actually does, as a result of it is only a grind, and particularly while you’re not working nearly as good as you wish to run, it legitimately sucks the life out of you if you happen to’re not getting any type of exterior validation from it.”

Feeling motivated and excited in regards to the alternative in entrance of him, this weekend LaJoie has a contemporary perspective.

“I used to be sitting on this within the truck in the present day throughout apply,” stated LaJoie. “And I simply thought, like, I get to drive this factor. Any person else owns it, someone’s paying me to drive it. That is the most effective job ever. And I have not had that thought in like six years. So, simply the angle of going there and having fun with and actually embracing it’s what I am excited for.”

LaJoie can be an analyst for Prime Video and is a central a part of the streaming service’s post-race present for the 5 Cup races they’re broadcasting this summer time.