Spire Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing announced Friday (Sept. 20) that they will trade drivers Corey LaJoie and Justin Haley after the conclusion of Saturday’s Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway
LaJoie, who announced his departure from Spire in July, will drive the No. 51 Ford for Rick Ware Racing after spending 4 years with the No. 7 team. Haley will drive the No. 7 car for Spire after spending less than a year with Rick Ware Racing.
LaJoie currently sits 28th in the up standings with one top-five finish on the season. He previously drove full-time for Go Fas Racing before joining Spire in 2021.
“Corey LaJoie has been a cornerstone of Spire Motorsports and we’re incredibly appreciative of all the time, effort and energy he has invested in our program. RWR is getting a workhorse in Corey. He’s dedicated to his craft and his tenacity brings out the best in those around him,” said Jeff Dickerson, co-owner, Spire Motorsports.
Haley has performed well in his first season with Rick Ware racing; he currently has two top 10s on the year and has posted a better average finish than seen from the No. 51 car in previous years. He drove full-time for Kaulig in 2022 and 2023 and contested the majority of the 2021 season for Spire as well as taking his lone Cup Series win in Spire’s No. 77 car at the summer Daytona race in 2019.
“Justin Haley is a very talented driver who has done a lot to help elevate RWR” said Rick Ware Racing President Robby Benton. “We didn’t want to compromise his growth or our own. In our talks with Justin following the break, we agreed to release him from his contract from RWR.”
“Obviously, we needed a plan to maintain the momentum we’ve gained this year, and Corey Lajoie joining RWR allows us the opportunity to move forward These seven races provide a unique and unconventional opportunity to work together now and elevate what we may be able to accomplish together moving forward.”
A daily email update (Monday through Friday) providing racing news, commentary, features, and information from Frontstretch.com
We hate spam. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.
Assuming that his current contract was bought out by Spire as Lajoie will only drive till seasons end Good move for both Spire and Haley as he will now have Rodney Childress as his crew chief
Yep and in 7 races LaJoie can go back to go karts.
Both drivers seem to be dedicated to the sport, maybe this change of teams is exactly what they both need. Good luck to both of them.
Different cars, same results…caution flags!
Agree. I don’t see any reason for Ware to keep LaJoie beyond these 7 races unless he just likes throwing money away.
So starting at Kansas the stray bullet is #51