Earlier this year just before the start of the 2025 season, Corey LaJoie faced backlash for some comments he made regarding the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series. LaJoie had lost his full-time ride in the Cup Series and was committing to a part-time schedule in Cup, turning down full-time opportunities in the lower divisions. 

Speaking to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass in January, he was asked about drivers who willingly choose to step down from the Cup Series. “Those guys that say they want to try to win, they win one or two truck races a year, and then they’re lifelong truck guys, and they never get to race on Sunday,” he said. “It’s all about Sunday. I don’t wanna go run F3, I wanna be a Formula 1 driver.

“Do you wanna go pump the ego up and hold a trophy on a Friday when there’s 12 people in the grandstands? … I can’t also justify to my partners that have been invested in me to go down to the lower divisions cause they don’t get return for their money. They want to bring their people to the big show, not to a Friday or Saturday show.”

Those comments were not received well and in hindsight, they’ve aged quite badly. LaJoie recently announced a deal with Spire Motorsports to run nine of the final 13 Truck Series races as he helps them in their mission to secure the owner’s championship. So, what changed?

LaJoie regrets comments he made during five-day fast

Corey LaJoie

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

Ahead of the Truck race at Michigan, LaJoie took part in a Friday press conference where he addressed that very subject.

“I’ve said a lot of dumb things on camera, so that was just another one … So just to clear context up for everybody, I said that on the morning of a five-day fast,” revealed LaJoie. “I wish I wouldn’t have added that ’12 (fans)’ comment bit, right, because then people within the Truck garage took offense to it. Then … there’s so many things that it came out of, and it’s such a negative light for just a couple comments that I said when I was ‘hangry’”.

LaJoie went on to say that there was “no hesitation” in taking this Truck deal with Spire Motorsports

“I try to run as much as I can. Especially, you know, there are hundreds, if not 1000s of kids/drivers that would love this nine-race opportunity … I’m going to take it seriously. This is my shot, and l’ve been making a living at this for 10 years. But I don’t want to just be an also-ran and not take it seriously and be in the way for somebody who might deserve it more than I do. So I take all that into consideration. I’m gonna try all I’ve got.”

The goal is still to be a Cup driver

Corey LaJoie, No. 01 Rick Ware Racing Ford

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

LaJoie further explained what prompted his fiery comments, adding: “My only focus in my entire life was to be a Cup Series driver. No, that’s all I want to do. That’s all that I cared to work for since I was 12 years old, right? I was really pissed off and hungry, but that was my focus is to try to get back to Sunday with the right group.

“But now, this is like, fun. I’ve been running some modified races, some late model races. I want to have fun because the Cup garage takes a lot of the fun out of it. It really does, because it’s just a grind, and especially when you’re not running as good as you want to run, it legitimately sucks the life out of you if you’re not getting any sort of external validation from it.”

Feeling motivated and excited about the opportunity in front of him, this weekend LaJoie has a fresh perspective.

“I was sitting in this in the truck today during practice,” said LaJoie. “And I just thought, like, I get to drive this thing. Somebody else owns it, somebody’s paying me to drive it. This is the best job ever. And I haven’t had that thought in like six years. So, just the perspective of going there and enjoying and really embracing it is what I’m excited for.”

LaJoie is also an analyst for Prime Video and is a central part of the streaming service’s post-race show for the five Cup races they are broadcasting this summer.

A recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals has cast uncertainty over the future of 23XI Racing and its driver, Bubba Wallace, in the NASCAR Cup Series

A recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals has thrown a wrench into the future plans of 23XI Racing and Bubba Wallace in the NASCAR Cup Series. The bombshell news comes after Wallace gave a confident assurance to Jordan and his team after a recent “jinx”, moments after the team suffered a separate $1 million blow.

The court has reversed an earlier injunction that had given 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) the green light to compete as chartered teams for the 2025 season. This ruling implies that unless further legal steps are taken, both teams might have to function as open entries, missing out on the guaranteed race spots and revenue sharing that come with a charter.

The initial injunction, granted in December 2024, allowed 23XI and FRM to race with charters while they contested NASCAR’s charter system on antitrust grounds. The teams contended that NASCAR’s demand for a release of past claims as a prerequisite for charter agreements was anti-competitive.

READ MORE: Inside NASCAR star’s incredible $4.5 million North Carolina house now up for saleREAD MORE: Bubba Wallace left emotional after NASCAR history repeated itself for third time

Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney representing the teams, had previously cautioned that operating without charters would be financially unsustainable, potentially putting sponsorships and driver contracts at risk. The loss of charter status could significantly affect 23XI Racing’s operations and its ability to keep key personnel, including Wallace.

A court document from December revealed that before 23XI Racing secured the now-reversed injunction, Wallace had told the team he would contemplate leaving if the situation wasn’t resolved.

The court document said: “23XI’s contract with driver Riley Herbst similarly requires that Herbst be provided with a chartered car, as does Front Row’s contract with driver Noah Gragson. Other drivers have expressed similarly urgent concerns. Driver Bubba Wallace informed 23XI that he needs to know how it intends to compete ‘immediately’ so that he can explore seats with other teams.”

Wallace, a standout in the racing circuit, notched an impressive six top-ten finishes in the 2024 season, landing in 18th place for the series standings, notching his second-highest finish ever in the Cup Series. Yet, as 23XI Racing considers a move to become an open team, doubts are swirling about Wallace’s future with the outfit.

Moreover, the appeals court ruling has tossed a wrench into the works regarding the teams’ acquisition of charters from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing, which saw them each expand to an entry pool of three cars for the 2025 season. The lifting of the injunction throws a shadow of uncertainty over these additional entries.

Caught in a legal tussle with NASCAR, a trial is set for December 2025, leaving 23XI Racing and FRM to grapple with the challenge of competing without charter guarantees, complete with their attendant financial perks.

The verdict of this litigation promises to send ripples across NASCAR’s charter system’s organization and control, potentially altering the destinies of squads like 23XI Racing.

Public sales for all 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto multi-day tickets began today (June 6) online at hondaindy.com. The 37th edition of the legendary motorsport festival headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto on July 18-20.

The longstanding, iconic summer event will again bring high-speed racing action to Toronto’s downtown streets alongside a festival atmosphere full of family fun with interactive displays and diverse food and beverage options. The weekend offers great value for families as children 12 and under receive free general admission every day when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

On track, the stars and cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will take on the 2.874-kilometre (1.786-mile), 11-turn temporary street circuit built on Exhibition Place near the Lake Ontario shoreline. Exciting sports car action from Emzone Radical Cup Canada presented by Michelin, plus open-wheel competition from the sport’s rising stars at USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire and USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire add to the weekend schedule.

“World-class racing, food and fun for all ages returns to the Exhibition Place grounds in just six weeks!” said Jeff Atkinson, president of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. “Fans should act now to secure their preferred spots for another exciting edition of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto.”

On Friday, July 18, Your Ontario Honda Dealers Present Free Fan Friday which offers general admission courtesy of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association through a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish Canada. Since 2010, Toronto Indy fundraising has raised over $1 million for the charity.

Fans can further enhance their Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto experience by purchasing a Paddock Pass which grants access to the “locker room of motorsports,” and spectators looking to get even closer to the action can add a Pit Pass. For children ages 5-12, the Rookie Racers program offers behind-the-scenes experiences including access to the drivers and race cars.

Pricing starts at $85 for 2-Day General Admission for Saturday and Sunday. Fans planning on using public transportation can purchase a GO Combo ticket that includes a 2-Day General Admission ticket and two round trip GO Transit fares to and from the event for $90 at hondaindy.com/promotions. Bronze-level 2-Day Grandstand seating is available for $110. Silver and Gold levels are priced at $170 and $235, respectively. The Gold 2-Day Grandstand seat also includes a Paddock Pass ($80 value). For full ticket pricing and 2025 event information and news, visit hondaindy.com or follow Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto on social media using #indyTO.

Honda Ontario Indycar PR

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Tanner Gray ran the fastest lap in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice Friday at Michigan International Speedway.

Gray paced the 2-mile, D-shaped oval in 38.726 seconds, averaging 185.922 MPH. The TRICON Garage also ranked second to Nashville winner Rajah Caruth on the best 10-consecutive-lap-average charts.

Caruth averaged 182.578 MPH from his second lap to his 11th lap in practice. Gray averaged 181.811 MPH from his first lap to his 10th lap.

Qualifying for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Michigan is scheduled for 8 a.m. ET with the race at Noon.

MORE: NASCAR TV schedule this weekend: Michigan 2025

Here is the full practice sheet:

More from the racing experts

Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.

A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.

Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick’s final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen’s stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers’ stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.

Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com

As Charlotte Motor Speedway gears up for the 32nd season of Cookout Summer Shootout, its legacy continues to shine. For decades, these summer nights on the famed frontstretch quarter-mile have served as a launching pad for future NASCAR stars.

Long before piloting powerful stock cars at NASCAR’s highest level, many of today’s top drivers cut their teeth in Legend Cars, learning the ropes at America’s Home for Racing. Now, those drivers reflect on the memories, milestones and lessons they gathered from the grassroots racing series that helped shape their careers now:

Austin Cindric, No. 2, Team Penske

“Racing Legend Cars made me a lot tougher, that’s for sure. Especially on long nights of Summer Shootout. It definitely started everything for me.”

Austin Dillon, No. 3, Richard Childress Racing

“Legend Car racing can be rough and tumble, and you’re going to use the bumper, so I learned a lot from Legend Car racing.”

Chase Elliott, No. 9, Hendrick Motorsports

“Those cars actually teach a lot of really good lessons. The tires are narrow. They’re overpowered, or they used to be overpowered for how big they were. I think it was kind of the first time, at least in my career, that you had more power than you needed and you didn’t have enough tire for the weight of the car. So, it was just a good car control learning experience.”

Ty Dillon, No. 10, Kaulig Racing

“I have so many memories. One of the most important ones is, my wife’s family from Washington state drove down for Summer Shootout, and they were parked beside us. Little did I know that that would be the beginning of me meeting the love of my life, my wife and now three kids. So that’s the most important thing that ever happened to me is that I met my wife at Summer Shootout, but also, I’ve competed against so many drivers that I’m now competing against in the Cup Series, which has been so cool. Daniel Hemric, Bubba Wallace, Austin Hill, so many of the guys that we grew up racing against each other and knew each other from those days. We all went our separate paths after our Legend Car days, but then we all ended up back in the Cup Series, and it really speaks to the amount of learning experience you get at that level.”

“I think, at a young age, being able to race in U.S Legend Cars, the competition is so high, but you’re learning the right ways to race and compete. You have to be aggressive in a lot of the races because a lot of the drivers there are hungry too, and there are a lot of eyeballs on that series as far as people in higher positions at race teams. So, there’s a lot of pressure on it, which is good, and I think if you can learn how to perform early with pressure, it’s obviously a solid thing to have on your resume.”

Ryan Blaney, No. 12, Team Penske

“I loved Legend Cars. I spent many weekends at Winter Heat, out on the fifth mile there and at the road course and Summer Shootout for many, many years. So I think Legend Cars are fantastic. A lot of motor, not a lot of tire. It kind of teaches you throttle control, car control, stuff like that. So, the one thing that Legend Cars probably didn’t do well for a lot of people is repairable bumpers that you just bolt on a new one. Some people just run into each other in Legend Cars. I thought the throttle and car control were the best things that it taught me.”

Chris Buescher, No. 17, RFK Racing

“U.S. Legends cars were a fantastic learning ride. It’s a lot of power for a very small tire, a small, short wheelbase. It gives you a lot of car control. They are technically open-wheel as well, so you do have to have that finesse and kind of that planning into each and every race, to where you wanna make sure you stay shiny side up at all times. It makes you learn how to race clean, but aggressively.”

William Byron, No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports

“The best memories were just making a lot of friends and memories at the track. I mean, just over the summer, being there every week and winning there was huge. So anytime you won one of the Summer Shootout races, it was a big deal. U.S. Legends Cars was just a great, great step for me in my career. Those cars were really fun to drive, and fun to race against people and I enjoyed it a lot.

Zane Smith, No. 38, Front Row Motorsports

“I raced Legend Cars initially on the West Coast, then I made my move out to the East Coast and I felt like they’re just such great cars. Way too much power for a little tire, and just taught me so much. There’s so much racing out here to just race all around the short tracks here, on the East Coast and even getting to do the Summer Shootout. I remember getting onto the big track on the front stretch and just praying that one day I’d be able to keep going straight and stay on the big track, so that was always really cool.”

From rising young talents chasing their dreams to NASCAR stars like Bubba Wallace, Kyle Busch, Shane van Gisbergen, and Australian Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin still jumping in on the action, the Cook Out Summer Shootout continues to deliver high-octane thrills. With 10 rounds of action-packed racing ahead, there’s no better place to be this summer than Charlotte Motor Speedway.

ABOUT COOK OUT SUMMER SHOOTOUT:

Celebrating its 32nd season, the Cook Out Summer Shootout is a 10-race showcase of speed, featuring eight racing divisions of Legend Cars and Bandoleros. Races are held each Tuesday night under the lights with championship points on the line all summer long.

TICKETS:

Tickets are $10; kids 12 and under get in FREE. For tickets, schedules and more details about all the happenings at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visit www.charlottemotorspeedeay.com/tickets.

KEEP TRACK:

Follow all the thrilling Cook Out Summer Shootout action at Charlotte Motor Speedway on X, Facebook and Instagram.

CMS PR

With the 32-driver field for the In-Season Challenge set, Michigan International Speedway will begin a three-race run to determine the seedings for the five-race bracket tournament for $1 million.

The winner Sunday at Michigan will be guaranteed one of the top three seeds in the In-Season Challenge, which will begin June 28 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Seeding will be based on best finishes over the next three races at Michigan, Mexico City and Pocono Raceway with tiebreakers based on the second- and third-best finishes in those races (points standings after Pocono is the final tiebreaker).

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to one of its fastest tracks this weekend with a trip to Michigan International Speedway.

The bracket-style tournament will begin at Atlanta with the top 32 drivers in the points standings after the June 1 race at Nashville Superspeedway. Eliminations will take place over four races until two drivers face off at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the $1 million prize.

There have been four different winners in the last four races at Michigan: Tyler Reddick (2024), Chris Buescher (2023), Kevin Harvick (2022) and Ryan Blaney (2021), who is coming off his first victory of the 2025 season at Nashville.

Kyle Larson and Joey Logano lead active drivers with three wins apiece at Michigan, where only one of the past 12 races has been won by a driver earning his first win of the season. The past two races at Michigan each tied a track record with 16 leaders.

The only time the NASCAR Cup Series has had a podium celebration was for the Clash at the LA Memorial Coliseum exhibition races from 2022-24.

A Michigander has yet to celebrate a Cup victory at the Brooklyn, Michigan, track. There are three Michigan natives in the field Sunday: Brad Keselowsk (a three-time runner-up at Michigan), Erik Jones and Carson Hocevar, who just tied a career best with a second at Nashville.

Joe Gibbs Racing is in a peculiar drought at Michigan — winless in its past 14 races on the 2-mile oval despite having won five of the past seven stages there. Its most recent victory was in Aug. 16, 2015 with Matt Kenseth. JGR since has won 96 times on 25 other tracks.

This will mark the first Cup race in June at Michigan since 2019. The past seven races at the track (which was downsized to one annual Cup weekend) were held in August.

Details for Sunday’s Cup race at Michigan

(All times Eastern)

START: The command to start engines will be given at 2:10 p.m. by Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph. … The race is scheduled to begin at 2:19 p.m.

PRERACE: The Cup garage will open at 11 a.m. … The drivers meeting is at 1 p.m. … Driver introductions are at 1:25 p.m. … The Canadian national anthem will be performed by Lisa Bascom at 2:02 p.m. The U.S. national anthem will be performed by Staff Sergeant MeLan Smartt, United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, at 2:03 p.m.

DISTANCE: The race is 200 laps (400 miles) on the 2-mile oval.

STAGES: Stage 1 ends at Lap 45. Stage 2 ends at Lap 120.

ENTRY LIST: Click here for the 36 cars entered at Michigan.

TV/RADIO: Prime will broadcast the race starting at 1:30 p.m. … Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will have radio coverage.

FORECAST: WeatherUnderground —Partly cloudy with a chance for a shower or thunderstorm and a high of 77 degrees and winds from the south at 5 to 10 mph. It’s expected to be 74 degrees with a 15% chance of rain at the start of the Cup race.

LAST TIME: Tyler Reddick held off William Byron for a victory in overtime. The race was completed Monday, Aug. 18, 2024 from a postponement after 51 laps Sunday.