NASCAR driver Corey LaJoie recently explained the origin of the name for his podcast, Stacking Pennies, during a recent episode. He shared that the title reflects the small, everyday habits and details in racing that often go unnoticed but are crucial to his motivation and performance.
LaJoie, who currently competes part-time in both the NASCAR Cup and Truck Series, drives for Rick Ware Racing in the Cup Series, piloting the #01 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, while also racing the #07 and #77 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Spire Motorsports in the Truck Series. In addition to his racing duties, LaJoie is an analyst on NASCAR on Prime Video and hosts the Stacking Pennies podcast, which features conversations with fellow drivers and NASCAR personalities.
The inspiration behind the Stacking Pennies podcast name
Throughout his racing career, LaJoie found motivation in focusing on small, controllable tasks during race weekends. Explaining the podcast‘s name, he described how these everyday efforts—such as avoiding speeding on pit road or not hitting the wall alone—serve as “insignificant pennies” that add up over time. This approach helped extend what might have been a short career into a long and fulfilling one, driven by attention to detail both on the track and in the garage.
“So there’s not very many opportunities to get externally validated for your work if you do good or bad. So we just started making lists of little mundane things. Don’t cuss on the radio. Don’t speed on pit road. Don’t hit the wall by yourself. Like little things that you think take for granted. Well, just that mind shift of trying to figure out a couple things of the weekend that I could do, that I had control of got me back excited and motivated to go figure out what the next thing was.” —Corey LaJoie, NASCAR driver and podcast host
“So that turned what probably should have been about a six-month career into like a nine month a nine-year career. And we just started naming them since they were insignificant pennies. But if you stack enough of them, you ultimately get a decent showing for it. So, it’s not really monetary. It’s really about doing the details right behind the wheel and in the garage,” —Corey LaJoie, NASCAR driver and podcast host
Recent guests and topics on the Stacking Pennies podcast
LaJoie’s Stacking Pennies podcast has hosted numerous drivers and NASCAR figures who share their experiences and insights from racing. The latest episode featured NASCAR driver Katherine Legge, who joined LaJoie to discuss various aspects of the sport. The conversations often explore the nuances and challenges in racing that fans might not be familiar with, providing in-depth and personal perspectives.
Overview of Corey LaJoie’s racing career
Corey LaJoie’s experience spans multiple NASCAR series and the ARCA Menards Series. In the NASCAR Cup Series, he has competed in 275 races, achieving 11 Top 10 finishes since debuting at the 2014 Sylvania 300 in New Hampshire. His participation in the Xfinity Series includes 22 races over four years, where he earned two Top 10 finishes, with his first race at the 2014 Ford EcoBoost 300 held at Homestead-Miami.
In the NASCAR Truck Series, LaJoie has participated in six events, picking up two Top 10s. His debut in the Truck Series was at the 2014 UNOH 225 in Kentucky. Beyond NASCAR, he has also taken part in 44 ARCA races during his career. LaJoie’s roots trace back to Charlotte, North Carolina, a city known for producing numerous prominent NASCAR drivers.
The significance of focusing on small improvements in motorsports
Corey LaJoie’s philosophy of concentrating on the small details reflects the often unseen side of competitive racing. By stacking these “pennies” of progress, from avoiding minor mistakes to improving communication, drivers can develop over time and build consistency. This mindset is not only a personal motivator for LaJoie but also serves as the foundation for his podcast’s storytelling and analysis.
As LaJoie continues his career both on the track and as an analyst, Stacking Pennies remains a platform where the depth and complexity of NASCAR are explored beyond just the race day action. The podcast’s ongoing episodes, including guest appearances from notable drivers like Katherine Legge, ensure that fans receive a window into the dedication and focus required for success in motorsports.
