NASCAR: Surprise driver change ends Hendrick Motorsports rumor

As a seasoned NASCAR enthusiast with over two decades of fervent following, I must say that the recent driver switch between Corey LaJoie and Justin Haley has certainly piqued my interest. The fact that these changes are happening mid-season adds an element of excitement to the upcoming races.

In an unusual move during the ongoing NASCAR season, drivers Corey LaJoie and Justin Haley will be swapping positions starting from the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday afternoon. This change will be implemented by Spire Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing.

Over the summer, it was made official that LaJoie would not return with Spire Motorsports for the 2025 season, marking a change for him. Although Rick Ware Racing has yet to confirm LaJoie as the driver of their No. 51 Ford for next year, this early move provides Rick Ware’s team with the chance to evaluate his abilities as they look for a lasting replacement for Haley.

Regarding Haley, there were whispers earlier this year about his potential transfer to a bigger team, given his outstanding 2024 season with Rick Ware Racing, following two years with Kaulig Racing. He had mentioned back in the summer that he would stay with Rick Ware Racing as long as the team owner wanted him, but it seems now he is planning to rejoin Spire Motorsports.

Apart from the last seven races of the 2024 season, it has also been officially announced that he will drive the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports in the 2025 season, thereby completing their driver roster. Presently, Michael McDowell, who is currently with Front Row Motorsports, is set to take over from Zane Smith, while Carson Hocevar will continue his tenure for a second consecutive year.

The move also ends a rumor involving Hendrick Motorsports and Alex Bowman.

Speculations have been circulating over the past few months about a potential change at Hendrick Motorsports regarding driver Alex Bowman. Despite him being contractually bound to the team until 2026 and the primary sponsor, Ally Financial, having a contract that extends up to 2028, there are whispers suggesting a possible shift in their partnership.

Those rumors didn’t go away even after Bowman won at the Chicago Street Course to punch his playoff ticket and end a win drought of over two years, given how many races each of his teammates had won between his two most recent trips to victory lane. William Byron won 11 races, Kyle Larson won nine, and Chase Elliott won six.

In light of Haley’s outstanding track record and his uncanny knack for surpassing expectations set by his equipment, particularly in a team often labeled as one of the slowest among those holding Cup Series charters, he has been seen as the top candidate to replace Bowman.

Currently, the 25-year-old hailing from Winamac, Indiana is bound to Spire Motorsports until the close of the 2025 racing season. It was with this team that he achieved a surprising triumph in July 2019 at Daytona International Speedway.

Despite no valid basis for speculation about Bowman leaving Hendrick Motorsports early, he can now confidently confirm his secure position with the team. And to those who persist in their chatter, he playfully invites them to continue doing so.

This year, Bowman progressed to the quarterfinals of the playoffs, making it his sixth time reaching the postseason in seven years with Hendrick Motorsports. Each time he has managed to advance to this round, demonstrating that Rick Hendrick’s team doesn’t require any tweaks, despite the fact that he may not have won as frequently as some of his fellow team members.

The round of twelve NASCAR Cup Series races begins on Sunday, September 29, with the Hollywood Casino 400 broadcast by ESPN from Kansas Speedway. You can catch the action live on USA Network, starting at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Don’t miss out – sign up for a free trial of FuboTV now and tune in!

2024-09-25 17:02