Corey LaJoie Prepares for Atlanta Race with Renewed Perspective
Corey LaJoie will drive the No. 01 Rick Ware Racing Ford in this weekend’s NASCAR Cup race at EchoPark Speedway, Atlanta, marking his fourth start of the 2025 season. LaJoie has taken a new approach to racing after spending the last five events as an analyst for Prime Video, which has offered him fresh insights into the demands of the sport.
"Driving the race car can be a really lonely place," LaJoie remarked, reflecting on the pressure of competing at this level. "I realized I was focusing too much on expectations, and I want to shift that mindset." This evolution is crucial for LaJoie, who noted that his recent experience allowed him to assess the race from a more relaxed perspective, acknowledging that not all drivers are always in the spotlight.
As he returns to Atlanta, a track where he nearly clinched victory in June 2022, LaJoie aims to enjoy the race amidst a limited 2025 schedule. “I really like the atmosphere at Rick Ware Racing, and now we’re going back to a place where I’ve been close to winning before," he stated. "It’s a great opportunity for me to run well and have some fun.”
Historically, LaJoie’s best Cup Series finish came during his pursuit of Chase Elliott in the 2022 Atlanta race before an aggressive block resulted in a wreck. In his first outing at Atlanta this season, he was also involved in an incident that ended his race prematurely.
With 275 career starts in the Cup Series and no wins to his name, LaJoie’s approach for this weekend is straightforward: “I want to enjoy it and make the most of this opportunity.” As the series heads to a track characterized by its fast and tumultuous nature, his renewed focus could play a pivotal role in his performance.
