NASCAR: 4 drivers who could use a change of scenery in 2024

NASCAR drivers in need of a chance: No. 1 – Corey LaJoie

Current team: Spire Motorsports

Corey LaJoie, who currently drives the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, has been a regular in the Cup Series field since 2017, and he has been a full-time driver since 2019. However, during his Cup Series career, he has yet to find himself in truly competitive equipment, having spent every season driving for non-competitive backmarker teams.

In 2017, LaJoie drove in 32 races for BK Racing, a team which was noncompetitive during their seven-year run from 2012 to 2018, splitting his time between the No. 23 and No. 83 Toyotas.

In 2018, he found himself racing for TriStar Motorsports, again in backmarker equipment. Since 2018, he spent two seasons at Go Fas Racing and is now in his third season with Spire Motorsports.

But despite having driven for four different teams, he has never been with any that have proven to be competitive teams that can contend on a weekly basis. Despite that, LaJoie has managed to put together several strong runs that have seen him bring home top five and top 10 finishes, including a career-high fourth place finish earlier this year at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Additionally, LaJoie led multiple times in last year’s second race at Atlanta Motor Speedway and was running in second place as the field took the white flag, but he saw a possible win slip away due to a last lap accident.

Regardless, LaJoie has proven that he can do more with less, and if he can pick up top five finishes with struggling teams, then there is no reason why he shouldn’t be considered for competitive rides that would give him a better chance at showcasing his talent.

Best fits: Stewart-Haas Racing, RFK Racing, Wood Brothers Racing, JTG Daugherty Racing