Corey LaJoie is stepping into the playoff spotlight as he takes over the No. 77 truck at Spire Motorsports starting this weekend. This shift comes after Spire Motorsports released Andrés Pérez, who has since joined Niece Motorsports, opening the door for LaJoie’s entry into the postseason competition. LaJoie will drive the truck for the final eight races of the season, aiming to help Spire contend for the Truck Series owner’s championship.
Spire Motorsports plans to transfer the owner’s points from their No. 07 truck—previously piloted by Kyle Larson and carrying a win at Homestead earlier this year—to the No. 77 team. This strategy enables LaJoie’s truck to qualify for the playoffs and compete at Richmond Raceway and beyond.
Spire Motorsports, in consultation with NASCAR, will shift the owner’s points from the team’s No. 07 entry to the No. 77 team with veteran Corey LaJoie at the controls for the final eight races of the season, beginning at Richmond Raceway,
Spire stated in their official announcement.
The team will compete as a three-truck operation for the remainder of the 2025 campaign, fielding the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in pursuit of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series owner’s and driver’s titles.
Background on LaJoie’s Recent Performances and Prospects
Earlier in the season, Corey LaJoie competed for Spire at Michigan, finishing fifth in a chaotic race marked by multiple incidents and a dramatic finish. Although LaJoie has yet to secure a victory in any national NASCAR series, the upcoming stretch of races with the No. 77 truck offers a prime opportunity to challenge that streak and gain momentum heading into the playoffs.
LaJoie aims to leverage his experience and the strong performance potential of Spire Motorsports’ trucks to produce his first Truck Series win. However, winning at this level remains a difficult feat, even for drivers regularly competing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Transition of Andrés Pérez to Niece Motorsports
The change in driver lineup was reportedly amicable, as Spire Motorsports expressed confidence in Andrés Pérez’s abilities but wanted to give the young driver flexibility to explore other opportunities. Pérez, at 20 years old, has now joined Niece Motorsports to drive their No. 44 truck.
Niece Motorsports has experienced recent roster adjustments, including the departure of Kaden Honeycutt. Pérez and Bayley Currey are now full-time teammates, with additional part-time entries adjusted to accommodate drivers Josh Bilicki and Connor Jones for their respective races.
Strategic Impact for Spire Motorsports in the Playoffs
By transferring owner points to the No. 77 truck, Spire Motorsports strategically positions LaJoie to compete for both owner and driver championships. This move not only expands Spire’s three-truck operation but also aligns their top-performing resources to maximize playoff contention.
LaJoie’s addition reflects Spire’s commitment to staying competitive in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, especially as the season approaches its critical final phase at Richmond Raceway and subsequent events.
The upcoming races will reveal if LaJoie can break through for his first Truck Series win and how effectively Spire manages its expanded lineup. Meanwhile, Pérez’s new chapter at Niece Motorsports signifies ongoing adaptation within NASCAR’s Truck Series landscape this season.