HAMPTON, Ga.: Corey LaJoie returned to Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway looking to finish what he started last July in Sunday’s Ambetter Health 400, and while the opportunity to score his first career NASCAR Cup Series win never materialized in the closing laps of the race, the Spire Motorsports driver did deliver a strong fifth-place finish.
With Atlanta’s new track configuration, the 1.5-mile speedway races now as a smaller Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway or Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway – giving the smaller teams like Spire Motorsports the opportunity to shine in the spotlight.
Sunday’s fifth Cup Series race of the season was no exception.
LaJoie drove a smart race.
Starting deep in the field aboard his No. 7 Celsius Chevrolet Camaro, LaJoie not only survived a green flag pit stop during Stage 2 but avoided the early on-track carnage during Stage 3 to maneuver his race car into the top-10 when the action heated up.
Over the final 10 laps of the race, LaJoie propelled his race car forward and found himself in a position to react to any tense moments between the leaders. And while the race stayed clean and green to checkered flag, LaJoie edged Tyler Reddick by two one thousands of a second to earn his career-best Cup Series finish.
“It feels great,” said LaJoie after the race. “It’s like this taboo, second sucks. Fourth is great. Fourth is great for our CELSIUS Camaro and our small team. Just a great points day.”
LaJoie spoke about the decision to give a bump draft to Joey Logano – the assistance propelled Logano to his first win of the 2023 season.
“I hope he gives me a shout-out for pushing him (race winner Joey Logano),” he added. (I) gave him a good shot there at the end. I was probably fourth or fifth in the top lane there.
I had an opportunity to get down and as soon as I didn’t take it, I was like – man that was the race. That was probably with 18 or 20 to go. That’s why these guys make millions of dollars.. they’re pretty good and know where to put their car. Fourth-place is a solid day for the No. 7 Celsius Chevy team.”
The driver attributed a well-handling race car from crew chief Ryan Sparks that allowed him to contend for his second career top-five Cup finish.
“Honestly, I think as this track gets a little more wear and abrasiveness to it, it’s going to be like old Daytona,” LaJoie explained. “Where you’re bumping and sliding around, and your car has to be fast. I felt like the track lost 10 to 15 percent of grip from last year, so handling was a big thing.
“You could really drive or push if you wanted to, or you could be sideways. Our Chevy drove great. We were able to pick the right lanes at the right time, just a little short.”
LaJoie and the Concord, N.C.-based Spire Motorsports has come swinging in 2023.
The team opened the year with a solid 16th place showing in the DAYTONA 500 and improved the following weekend at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway when he wheeled the team to a 14th place run.
Finishes of 20th at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway and 26th at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway were above average finishes for the team usually marred in the middle of the pack, but the rejuvenation of the Spire Motorsports organization led by Sparks leaves the team 14th in owner points heading to Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on March 26.
“We started off the year, West Coast swing, really solid,” added LaJoie. “To come back here, a bit of a crapshoot. To get another career best here… I don’t expect to show up and instantly win a race. You have to keep putting yourself in these positions, like Joey (Logano). That is why he wins all the time, because he’s up front all the time.
“As I get myself some more confidence, race around these guys, these guys see me up there racing with them, our day is going to come.”
LaJoie ventures to the famed-Texas road course COTA nestled 14th in the championship standings.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or email him at [email protected].
