Corey Lajoie regrets ’12 fans’ comment...

Earlier this 12 months simply earlier than the beginning of the 2025 season, Corey LaJoie confronted backlash for some feedback he made concerning the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Collection. LaJoie had misplaced his full-time trip within the Cup Collection and was committing to a part-time schedule in Cup, turning down full-time alternatives within the decrease divisions. 

Talking to FOX Sports activities’ Bob Pockrass in January, he was requested about drivers who willingly select to step down from the Cup Collection. “These guys that say they need to attempt to win, they win one or two truck races a 12 months, after which they’re lifelong truck guys, and so they 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 individuals 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 need to carry their individuals to the large present, to not a Friday or Saturday present.”

These feedback weren’t obtained properly and in hindsight, they’ve aged fairly badly. LaJoie recently announced a deal with Spire Motorsports to run nine of the final 13 Truck Series races as he helps them in their mission to secure the owner’s championship. So, what changed?

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 numerous 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 individuals inside 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 after I was ‘hangry’”.

LaJoie went on to say that there was “no hesitation” in taking this Truck take care of Spire Motorsports

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

The objective remains 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 complete life was to be a Cup Collection driver. No, that is all I need to do. That is all that I cared to work for since I used to be 12 years previous, 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 proper group.

“However now, that is like, enjoyable. I have been working some modified races, some late mannequin races. I need to have enjoyable as a result of the Cup storage takes numerous the enjoyable out of it. It actually does, as a result of it is only a grind, and particularly once you’re not working pretty much as good as you need to run, it legitimately sucks the life out of you in the event you’re not getting any form of exterior validation from it.”

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

“I used to be sitting on this within the truck right now throughout observe,” stated LaJoie. “And I simply thought, like, I get to drive this factor. Any person else owns it, any person’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 is also 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 season.