The firing of a driver who is not in the top 25 in points should not come as a huge surprise. The business is performance-based.
In fact, LaJoie’s average starting position was higher this year (23.3) than it was the previous season (24.8) in 2023. However, his 22.7 average finish was behind his 20.8 average from the previous year. That would indicate that he didn’t finish as well even if the cars were the same speed as they were a year earlier, if not quicker.
Even so, it was his second-best result in his four seasons at Spire, with an average of 22.7. He contributed to the organization’s expansion. That ought to have some significance.
Perhaps, perhaps not. Other drivers recognise the potential and flourish, as frequently occurs when drivers assist in developing a programme. Cup rookie Carson Hocevar has a 19.4 average finish. When deliberate retribution is excluded, Hocevar has amassed 84 extra points in 22 races (or roughly 3.8 points per race). Although they each failed to finish one race, Hocevar has completed more lead laps than LaJoie, with 17.
When speculation about LaJoie’s potential situation started to spread in mid-June, many believed that he had the ability to turn things around or simply go, like he had done a year prior, and that if he did, he would be safe. Rather, things would only get worse; after scraping the wall during qualifying, he would commit the error that resulted in him taking out Kyle Busch at Pocono.
Spire concluded that it would free him. Rodney Childers, a championship-winning crew chief, is joining the squad, and Justin Haley might be able to take LaJoie’s place. Not to be overlooked in all of this is Spire’s close relationship with Hendrick Motorsports; if Hendrick is considering Haley, his year of racing at Spire with Childers may help inform its judgements.
Is LaJoie getting a bit of a harsh deal? Yes, in that he still had one year left on his contract. If he can’t find work for the upcoming season, it’s expected he’ll receive at least a base salary. However, when the results indicate a regression, especially with an average finish in the back half of the field, nobody should ever feel comfortable. Furthermore, Spire probably has sponsors because it wishes to demonstrate the idea that performance counts.
LaJoie started 258 Cups throughout his career. That would be a long-lasting and respectable career. He appears to be due for another Cup opportunity, perhaps this time with a team attempting to establish itself at Rick Ware Racing.
Brickyard 400 Highlights from the NASCAR Cup Series | NASCAR
LaJoie, who turns 33 next month, is aware that his window for securing a desirable Cup ride is closing. As long as it doesn’t detract from operating the race car, it would seem reasonable that prospective sponsors would value the candour and exposure provided by a podcast that describes the life of a driver in his position. If he is given another chance at the Cup, it will probably be his last one if he performs poorly.
A part of LaJoie and some of his supporters would question whether LaJoie’s potential would have been realised if he had been coupled with Childers.
However, nobody ought to be upset that LaJoie won’t get the opportunity. Granted, a new driver might not make a difference in the performance of the No. 7 vehicle. However, the lack of faith that things would improve if LaJoie remained in the position is sufficient justification for making one.
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