Spire Tabs Corey LaJoie For Truck Series Opener

Corey LaJoie (Photo by NKP/NKP photo)

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Spire Motorsports has tabbed Corey LaJoie, its NASCAR Cup Series veteran, to drive the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado in next week’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series opener.

LaJoie will return to Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway for the Fresh From Florida 250 hoping for redemption, after starting fifth leading the most laps in last year’s race, only to finish 23rd when rain brought an early end to the proceedings at the 2.5-mile oval.

“We led the most laps and it rained,” Lajoie reflected. “I knew the rain was coming – I was trying to play defense – and I just missed covering Zane Smith. That was the difference. I got shuffled out of the lead and it started raining two or three laps later and they called the race. I thought we had a good enough truck to take the win, so I was irritated about that.

“I’m still irritated about that, but I’m glad I get a chance to do it again this year.”

Veteran NASCAR crew chief Brian Pattie will lead the No. 7 team from atop the pit box, with LaJoie serving as the first of an all-star cast of drivers that will fill the entry through the season.

A more detailed schedule of drivers will be revealed later on, though Kyle Busch has been confirmed to make five Truck Series starts with the team as part of the rotating driver lineup.

Bluegreen Vacations will sponsor LaJoie and Spire Motorsports in the Truck Series’ season kickoff. It’s the fifth year LaJoie has partnered with the resort and vacations company, though it’s the first time that Bluegreen Vacations will appear in the Truck Series.

The company sponsored LaJoie last season with Spire Motorsports beginning at Richmond (Va.) Raceway in April, where he finished 21st.

“We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Corey LaJoie this year, particularly as he opens the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season in Daytona,” said Dusty Tonkin, executive vice president & chief sales and marketing officer at Bluegreen Vacations. “He’s been a favorite among our owners who have enjoyed getting to know him at the exclusive Bluegreen Bash events hosted at our resorts. We look forward to introducing Corey to even more Bluegreen owners as he helps us in our mission to share happiness.”

“We’ve been working with Bluegreen Vacations now for four years, so it’s exciting to continue to grow that partnership,” said LaJoie. “Bluegreen sponsors the Duels [Daytona 500 qualifying races] on Thursday night, so it’s important we do a good job for them because they have such a big presence during Speedweek at Daytona. Having them on our truck and giving them a chance to root for me — hopefully means we can get that Bluegreen Chevrolet Silverado in victory lane on Friday night.”

Coverage of the Fresh From Florida 250 begins Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. ET, live on FS1, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.