Spire Motorsports Re-Signs Corey LaJoie, Adds Ty Dillon To Drive Second Full-Time Car

As part of Spire Motorsports’ long-term growth, the two-car Nascar Cup Series operation will have two full-time drivers for the first time in 2023.

The Chevrolet-backed team announced on Tuesday Corey LaJoie will return for his third season behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chevrolet. The organization is also adding Ty Dillon, grandson of Richard Childress, to pilot the No. 77 car, which has been split by multiple drivers since 2021.

“The next step in our progression is to add an equally capable full-time driver for the No. 77 team and we’ve found just that individual in Ty Dillon,” co-owner Jeff Dickerson said. “Clearly, the path that T.J. (Puchyr, co-owner) and I have taken to be here today has been atypical. We have great respect for our contemporaries in the sport, and we are humbled to be among them. Collectively, we’ve been fortunate to serve a lot of functions and roles in racing over the past 20 years. That allows us to have a great appreciation and perspective of what it takes to be successful in this super-competitive environment. We’re very proud of what every member of the organization has helped us build.”

Spire Motorsports added a second full-time entry in 2021, saying the team “can’t afford to lose” ahead of its decision. The two Spire Motorsports cars sit 32nd and 33rd in the owner standings, with three races left in the 2022 season.

Throughout LaJoie’s two full seasons with the team, he’s experienced moments of brilliance, including nearly winning his first Cup race at Atlanta earlier this year before wrecking while in the lead.

Meanwhile, Dillon rejoined the Cup Series circuit this year after competing in only nine races in 2021 across Nascar’s top-three divisions. Dillon was left jobless entering the 2021 season after Germain Racing shut its doors, giving the younger of the Dillon brothers little time to find a new full-time ride.

Dillon reemerged with Petty GMS Motorsports this season, but was told in July that he would not return to the team next year. Dillon only has one top-10 result this year, coming at the Bristol dirt race in the spring.

However, Spire Motorsports believes that having two full-time drivers will elevate the entire program and give the two pilots a chance to compete for a spot in the playoffs.

“I’m thankful for this opportunity, a new beginning with a very hungry team that is excited for the future,” Dillon in a statement. “Spire Motorsports has been growing year after year, when you look at the way that Corey and the No. 7 team has developed to be competitive. The organization is heading in the right direction and I’m excited to be a part of bringing the No. 77 up to where Corey has been running. Hopefully, we raise the whole level of competition together.”

As part of Tuesday’s announcement, Spire Motorsports said crew chief Ryan Sparks, who works with LaJoie, will also serve as the team’s director of competition in 2023.