DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.: Corey LaJoie had a spicy performance in Sunday’s postponed Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
However, LaJoie’s spicy aggression and his strong superspeedway craft allowed the Spire Motorsports driver to execute a strong fourth-place finish when the checkered and yellow flag flew in the “Great American Race.”
The finish ties a career-best for the son of two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Randy LaJoie. Last year, he earned fourth-place finishes twice at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway in the spring and during the annual fall trip to Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in October.
Boasting a new partner in Chili’s, LaJoie said earlier in the week he had planned to be aggressive in hopes of getting his No. 7 Spire Motorsports a strong start to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season.
LaJoie started his No. 7 Chili’s Catch-a-Rita Chevrolet Camaro deep in the field in the 29th, but a fast race car allowed LaJoie to missile through the field and find himself in contention throughout the 200-lap race.
The Concord, N.C.-based driver was also credited with leading Lap 151 of this year’s Super Bowl NASCAR event.
Much like has become accustomed for LaJoie and the Spire Motorsports team over the years, LaJoie has become a fixture of race-winning speed with the checkered flag in sight. However, a multi-car accident erupted as the cars screamed past the start-finish line on Lap 199 with NASCAR waving the yellow flag and ending the race.
LaJoie’s top-five finish was his best Daytona result and put his Ryan Sparks-led team in the best position since finishing ninth in the season-opening Daytona 500 in 2021.
“Really stoked to start the year with a top five in our Chili’s Catch a Rita Chevy Camaro,” said LaJoie after the race. “Super happy with our team’s execution to start the season. Our Spire Motorsports team brought a great race car with good speed and executed throughout the course of the day.”
LaJoie said he was glad to start a “marathon season” with momentum and looks to Atlanta on Feb. 25 as an opportunity to continue a strong start to the 36-race season.
“We gained some track position, led some laps, and after getting shuffled back, continued to fight and claw our way to the front,” added LaJoie. “The 500 begins a marathon season, so it’s great to start off on the right foot. We have 35 more to execute one run at a time and one race at a time to keep this No. 7 car up front where should be.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or email at [email protected].
