Corey Lajoie is beginning to explore possibilities beyond his active NASCAR racing career as he faces uncertain opportunities within the sport. Speaking on the Stacking Pennies podcast, co-hosted by pit crew veteran Ryan Flores, Lajoie outlined his current mindset about life after full-time racing.
Reflecting on Recent Changes and Current Engagements
The son of two-time Busch Series champion Randy Lajoie, Corey embarked on his own racing journey over the past decade, competing in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2017 through 2024. His consistent presence ended after Spire Motorsports released him from his contract a year early, effectively concluding his full-time role last season. Still under contract with Spire Motorsports for the fall Truck Series, Lajoie has been making starts there and also has appeared in four Cup Series races for Rick Ware Racing. Alongside driving, he has ventured into broadcasting, hosting pre- and post-race shows for Amazon Prime Sports covering Cup events.
Exploring New Ventures Beyond Full-Time NASCAR Driving
When discussing plans for the upcoming year, Lajoie expressed a growing interest in several non-driving pursuits. He highlighted his enjoyment of television work and mentioned launching a new business focused on carbon fiber manufacturing. “I like doing TV,” Lajoie explained.
“I think I’m going to start up this carbon fiber business, and if NASCAR wants to keep doing the show, I’ll keep doing the show because I like doing it and having the platform to talk about life and racing.”
He elaborated on the frustrations with the Truck Series, citing limitations imposed by manufacturer rules and technical challenges.
“But yeah, Trucks aren’t particularly fun to drive, and also like smashing my head up against the wall, metaphorically. Like, you’re fighting a battle that is just; if you’re not doing it yourself, you deal with all the bullshit. We can’t do a new body build. Well, we can’t build it this way because GM this, and simulation that,”
Lajoie said.
“So, if I had a really good opportunity call, then sure, I’ll entertain the conversation, but there’s like 10 other things that I could be doing right now to start what the next chapter looks like, and I think I’m going to start focusing on that.”
—Corey Lajoie, Racing Driver and Podcast Host
Continued Interest in Select Races, Including the Daytona 500
Despite his shifting focus, Lajoie remains open to select racing opportunities, especially the Daytona 500. He believes his skills could still make a meaningful impact in this prestigious event.
“I’ll entertain Daytona 500 offers because I think I can compete for a win in a decent car there, and [I] made the race the hard way a couple of times,”
he shared.
“So, I think I bring some value to a team, and you could also make about a year’s worth of pay in one week. So, I’ll look at that, but yeah, like Truck Series offers, I’m not entertaining.”
Challenges in Securing Competitive Cup Series Seats
Lajoie has voiced his desire to remain in the Cup Series but acknowledges the harsh realities of the sport’s competitive and economic landscape. Without appealing offers, he finds it increasingly difficult to continue at that level.
“There’s really not any [opportunities] because — it is just what it is, right? You get out of them, you lose your seat. The music stops, and they plus somebody else that’s cheaper and comparable, that can do the same job,”
he stated plainly.
What Lies Ahead for Corey Lajoie Post-NASCAR?
Facing a crossroads in his racing career, Corey Lajoie is turning toward new ventures both within and outside motorsports. His experience as a driver and broadcaster positions him to leverage his knowledge in different ways, from media to business endeavors like carbon fiber production. While he remains open to racing occasions such as the Daytona 500, the path forward appears focused on ventures beyond the wheel, marking a significant transition in his professional life that reflects the realities many drivers face in an evolving NASCAR environment.
