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Corey LaJoie has big expectations for 2024: ‘We’re gonna win’

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated 1/18/24

Folks, even if you don’t believe in the new Spire Motorsports, Corey LaJoie does. He expects nothing less than the NASCAR Playoffs. The 2024 season is going to be full of surprises and Spire might be the biggest surprise of all.

Spire Motorsports went out, bought another charter, added Gainbridge and Group 1001 to the team, bought out Kyle Busch Motorsports, and added Carson Hocevar and Zane Smith to their lineups. Smith is signed with Trackhouse Racing, racing through Spire.

All of that and more behind the scenes has Corey LaJoie filled with lofty expectations.

“The expectations internally between Ryan Sparks and I, I feel like, if we don’t make the playoffs, we’ll be pretty frustrated. … We’ve been more or less operating as a one-car team the last three years and with this new car trying to fine-tune it and find that baseline is so important,” LaJoie said to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “And for us to really only have one car of information to get better, really has stunted our growth.”

Corey LaJoie even called his shot for 2024 – he’s going to win a race.

“So, we’re going to win. I would be very upset and probably frustrated and feel like internally we probably didn’t meet our marks if we didn’t win or find ourselves in the playoffs.”

"If we don't make the playoffs, we'll be pretty frustrated […] we're gonna surprise some people."@CoreyLaJoie is high on his No. 7 team and @SpireMotorsport as a whole entering 2024.

What are your expectations for Super Shoe? pic.twitter.com/9OT458Q6tj
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) January 18, 2024

Corey LaJoie has been that guy everyone wants to see in a fast car. While LaJoie replaced Chase Elliott for a race last season, he didn’t make the most of it. It was a poor effort and led many to doubt his skills.

However, with a new Spire Motorsports, LaJoie should have the tools to put himself into that playoff conversation.

Corey LaJoie coming off career-best season

In terms of the final points standings, Corey LaJoie had a career season in 2023. However, finishing 25th is nothing to write home about when you have wins and the playoffs on your mind.

I think a successful LaJoie would be great for NASCAR. He is a likable figure, marketable, now he needs the results behind it. LaJoie was able to finish 25th last season because of a Cup Series low, 0 DNFs. He was the only full-time driver without one.

So, can he do it again in 2024? Well, I think if he does have zero DNFs this year, it won’t be a good thing. LaJoie wants to mix it up with the frontrunners and be in contention. That, at times, comes with consequences, like DNFs.

With all that Spire Motorsports has done in the last eight months or so, there should be higher expectations. Two talented rookies in Hocevar and Smith will keep LaJoie honest in 2024. He has to prove Spire is still his team.

Is Corey LaJoie going to find Victory Lane in 2024?

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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