During the VA Racing Lovers 150 at Richmond Raceway, Corey LaJoie and Ryan Newman were involved in a significant incident on a restart with 49 laps remaining. Newman, who was leading at the time, was turned by LaJoie, causing him to crash nose-first into the outside wall and end his race prematurely. This Corey LaJoie Richmond clash drew immediate attention due to its impact on the competition.
The collision left Newman’s car with irreparable damage, eliminating him from the event, though remarkably, no other drivers were caught up in the incident. LaJoie expressed regret over the contact, explaining that the situation unfolded quickly and unintentionally.
Details Surrounding the On-Track Incident
Ryan Newman was leading the field when LaJoie made contact on the restart, causing Newman to lose control. The unexpected bump caused Newman’s left rear bumper to catch, sending his car into the wall, ending his day early. LaJoie clarified that modern racecar setups, where bumpers no longer align with the no-ride height, contributed to the severity of the spin.
Speaking with journalist Matt Weaver after the race, LaJoie admitted his remorse:
“I would have loved to cut him a break, man. It just happened so quickly. I feel terrible about it because I even told myself to give a gap because I got wrecked at Wilkesboro leading the same way.”
He continued by emphasizing how unintentional the wreck was:
“I feel terrible. You know, he had a good day going, and I hate to wreck that. I hate to wreck him, hate to wreck anybody,” Corey LaJoie added.
LaJoie’s New Role in the NASCAR Truck Series
In a recent development, Corey LaJoie has been named the driver for the No. 77 Craftsman Truck Series truck for Spire Motorsports for the remaining eight races of the season. This opportunity emerged following Andrés Pérez de Lara‘s departure to Niece Motorsports. LaJoie, who previously raced for Spire in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/motorsports/nascar/cup-series/”>NASCAR Cup Series, understands the team’s expectations and remains motivated to compete for victories.
Reflecting on this new phase of his season, LaJoie stated:
“The last couple of months, they’re paying me out of the contract. So it gets me off the couch. Get me out of my, you know, blowing some leaves and raking my backyard on a Sunday afternoon or Saturdays. Nonetheless, I want to go out there and give those guys a good effort.”
He also expressed excitement about returning to well-known tracks and connecting with familiar faces:
“There’s a lot of my favorite race tracks in the Truck Series Playoffs. So it’ll be cool to be in that garage and see some familiar faces. It’s also cool to go back through the shop and see a lot of familiar faces,” he added.
Looking Ahead to Upcoming NASCAR Events
The NASCAR Truck Series eero 250 is next on the schedule at Richmond Raceway, set for Friday, August 15. This 250-lap race will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1, with live coverage also available via the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The Truck Series Playoffs will follow with their opening race at Darlington on August 30, intensifying the competition as drivers aim for the championship.
Corey LaJoie’s entrance into the Truck Series this late in the season could impact the final playoff battles, promising a dynamic conclusion to the year for both LaJoie and Spire Motorsports. Meanwhile, his Richmond clash with Ryan Newman highlights the razor-thin margins and intense emotions present in NASCAR racing today.