Corey LaJoie’s rise to prominence in Atlanta continues strong start in 2023

Corey LaJoie proved that the new age version of Atlanta Motor Speedway was quite the place for the Spire Motorsports driver.

The driver of the No. 7 Chevrolet finished fourth Sunday in the NASCAR Cup Series race, his second top-five finish in three races at the newly reconfigured 1.54-mile speedway that uses the pack racing package typically reserved for superspeedways in Talladega. and Daytona. Last summer, LaJoie led a career-high 19 laps at the Georgia oval before a late crash relegated him to one spot outside the top 20.

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But LaJoie’s first top-five finish in 2023 should be far less shocking than any previous run. Through five races in 2023, LaJoie is averaging 15.2, with four top-20 finishes and a worst finish of 26th at Phoenix on March 12. He entered Sunday’s race 18th in points and leaves Atlanta 14th in the standings.

“We started the year really strong. And I don’t think we could have started any better,” LaJoie said. “We missed it a little bit last week at Phoenix, but we come back and bounce back and put a good payday in the bank and (take) some points from the guys we’re racing with as well. Because it’s inevitable that a lot of guys ahead of us are just catching up (because) these guys are the ones who are consistently in the top 10, top 15.

“So we need to get to where we can, on any given intermediate or short track, run a little bit better in the top 15. But we’re getting there. You know, days like this definitely give us confidence and give us a little more money in the kitty to keep digging.

LaJoie proved to be more than just a feel-good story on a superspeedway this year. Spire Motorsports has struggled to string together strong track results in years past, largely due to its lack of resources compared to the sport’s flagship programs. This year, a closer relationship with one of those elite teams – Hendrick Motorsports – provided more data for the No. 7 program, raising the team’s ceiling.

More importantly, LaJoie capitalizes on the resources now at his disposal, thereby boosting his self-confidence.

“We’re getting help from Hendrick and obviously we’re paying for it with underwing scans and setup help, so hopefully that continues to translate,” LaJoie said. “You know really and truly, I have a lot of confidence in myself right now and that definitely helps too.”

LaJoie and Co. executed their game plan almost to perfection on Sunday. LaJoie found himself on the brink of the top 10 entering the final stage of the race, finishing 10th in Stage 2, and continued to climb the standings when it counted.

“I don’t think we could have done better. I don’t think we could have done anything differently,” LaJoie said. “Our green flag (pit) sequence was, I think, definitely positive. We have a staging point there. The only thing I could have done differently that I will look back on is just covering that bot lane when I had the chance with about 18 to go.

“I just didn’t expect this bottom to be as strong and as long as it lasts. I thought they were going to give up a little bit, but they managed to hold on there. And if I had just covered that, I would have been at the front of that line, you know, who knows what could have happened?

Contributor: Sean Montgomery