Argomenti trattati
On the drive to Rockingham, a quick stop at a local coffee shop turned into a snapshot of where Corey LaJoie sits professionally and personally. While waiting for his order he explained to a barista that he now represents RAM in the Craftsman Truck Series, and the reaction underscored how much he values the opportunity. That casual exchange made him realize this role is more than a gig; it might be the right fit for the foreseeable future, offering structure, purpose, and a chance to work inside a developing program.
LaJoie accepted the offer from Kaulig Racing and company president Chris Rice with surprising speed, but not for the reasons many assume. Beyond visibility and statistics, he wanted the daily grind of setup work, the problem solving, and the camaraderie that comes with building something from the ground up. He described enjoying the minutiae of chassis adjustments and setup philosophies, and he believes the young RAM entry needs a driver who relishes that work as much as the on-track results.
The project: early stage and hands-on
This RAM effort is still in its infancy—only a handful of races into its program—and it does not yet have a fully functional simulation program. That capability is being developed with Pratt Miller, but it will arrive gradually, meaning the team currently relies heavily on real-track data and experienced feedback. For LaJoie, that situation is ideal: he can influence direction in the garage, translate feel into setup changes, and help shape a culture that blends engineering growth with on-track performance.
Experience building teams
LaJoie points to his time at Spire as proof he can grow a program from modest beginnings into a competitive operation. He has repeatedly chosen the longer, tougher route—joining organizations lacking resources and helping lift them to respectability. That history also left him bitter when momentum stalled and plans shifted. While he holds no malice toward former partners, he admits the abrupt changes at Spire drained him and forced a reevaluation of what he wanted from his career and life outside racing.
Mistakes, humility and a new approach
Earlier public comments in which he dismissed the Truck Series as racing “in front of a handful” of fans were a rare lapse that LaJoie now acknowledges were born from defensiveness. He says those remarks didn’t reflect how he feels about the sport or this opportunity. The current agreement with Kaulig is manageable in workload—initially focused on Fridays and race weekends—with expectations that his involvement will grow as the program’s technical tools mature. That gradual ramp allows him to balance commitments while investing energy into long-term improvement.
Mentorship and measurable goals
LaJoie has adjusted his priorities: winning remains vital, but he is also focused on mentoring teammates such as Brenden Queen and Mini Tyrrell. He’s already convened meetings at Rockingham to share observations and to set a constructive tone in the shop and at the track. Having observed top-tier organizations like Hendrick and RFK, he believes he can import best practices and help the RAM entry consistently contend for top-10s as the season progresses toward the Chase for the Championship.
Pathway back to Cup
There is a broader strategic layer to the move: parent company Stellantis is working toward renewed presence in higher categories with the Dodge marque, and a successful Truck Series program could provide a bridge for further opportunities. LaJoie is candid that he still wants to win and erase the narrative about his limited victories, but his current focus blends personal ambition with team development. He sees potential for genuine long-term gains if Kaulig and RAM leverage their resources and align expectations.
Reconnecting with the joy of racing
Perhaps most striking is LaJoie’s renewed excitement about simply being a race driver. He names Rockingham as a favorite circuit and contrasts his current optimism with the disappointment of missing the Daytona 500 in a prior chapter. Now, even the risk of a bad result doesn’t dampen his enthusiasm; he relishes the community and the weekly ritual of preparation, travel, and competition. That attitude shift—from singularly chasing a Cup goal to embracing team-building and mentorship—frames his work with Kaulig and RAM as both a career reset and a genuine source of satisfaction.