Corey LaJoie is preparing to compete in the 2026 Daytona 500 with RFK Racing, aiming to leverage their top-tier equipment and full organizational support in a bid to improve his NASCAR results. After years of driving for smaller teams, LaJoie now has a significant opportunity to prove himself in what is widely regarded as one of the most important races on the calendar, the Daytona 500. The partnership with RFK Racing, a prominent team in NASCAR, could be a turning point for his career.
LaJoie’s Journey Through Multiple NASCAR Teams
Throughout his career, LaJoie has driven for a variety of teams, including Rick Ware Racing, Spire Motorsports, Go Fas Racing, TriStar Motorsports, BK Racing, and Randy Humphrey Racing. His lone start for Hendrick Motorsports at Gateway in 2023 ended with a 21st-place finish. Despite his persistent efforts, the less competitive equipment at these smaller teams often overshadowed his driving potential. This raised questions among fans and experts about whether his results reflected his talent or the limitations of his machinery.
Joining RFK Racing and the Impact of Competitive Support
Now aligned with RFK Racing, LaJoie will share the track at Daytona with accomplished teammates Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, and Ryan Preece, all of whom have recorded superspeedway wins. Driving the No. 99 Ford Mustang in the Daytona 500, LaJoie expressed confidence in the stronger support and resources available to him for the race.
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
Near Miss in the Clash Qualifier Highlights the Challenge Ahead
Prior to the Daytona 500, LaJoie had the chance to drive Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford in the Clash main event at Bowman Gray but fell short during the Last Chance Qualifier. As the battle unfolded among AJ Allmendinger, Austin Cindric, and LaJoie for the final spot, Josh Berry ultimately secured the lead, leaving LaJoie just outside of qualification. Although LaJoie pushed aggressively, Cindric edged past to clinch the position, leaving LaJoie in third and just missing the cutoff alongside Allmendinger’s fourth spot.
The Importance of Daytona 500 Performance for LaJoie’s Career Prospects
LaJoie’s results at Daytona will serve as a crucial measure of his abilities when paired with competitive equipment. A strong showing could dispel doubts about his talent, which many have attributed to the quality of his previous rides rather than his driving capabilities. Conversely, another lackluster performance may reinforce the narrative established by his past results. For LaJoie, the Daytona 500 is not just another race but a vital opportunity to secure his place in the NASCAR Cup Series moving forward.
