(Video) Axed Spire driver Corey LaJoie wrecks Noah Gragson and causes the “big one” at Daytona

JGR’s Denny Hamlin has blamed Spire Motorsports’ Corey LaJoie for the first big wreck of the day at the Coke Zero Sugar 400.

(Video) Axed Spire driver Corey LaJoie wrecks Noah Gragson and causes the “big one” at Daytona

Corey LaJoie and Noah Gragson (Via IMAGO)

Spire Motorsports veteran Corey LaJoie doesn’t seem to bale to catch a break in 2024 season as he was involved in yet another wreck at Daytona. He came into the racing hoping for a redeeming performance after wrecking out last week at Michigan and have a solid run to make a case for himself in the hunt for a 2025 NASCAR seat, as Spire has axed him from their future plans.

But worse results were expecting Corey LaJoie at the Coke Zero Sugar 400. On stage two, with 35 more laps left, the No:7 Chevy was racing behind the No:10 Ford of Noah Gragson and while pushing him made mistake, as his contact resulted in a left rear hook and a wreck that collected multiple cars including Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin.

Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman, Kyle Larson and Ty Gibbs were even collected in the incident. While some of the drivers were able to recover and score good points, few couldn’t as the damages ruined their day. JGR’s Hamlin had a to settle for P37 finish because of the wreck while Gragson had to settle for a P38.

After the race, Denny Hamlin made it pretty clear who is blame for the incident. During an interaction with top NASCAR YouTuber Erick Estepp on X, the 23XI Racing co-owner asserted that it was the No:7 Spire Motorsports Chevy that caused the incident.

Erick Estepp: Man.... don't tell me the No. 7 caused it.
Denny Hamlin: 7 caused it.
Denny Hamlin replied to Erick Estepp on X.

Denny Hamlin also blamed fuel saving for the incident

While further assessing the point, Denny Hamlin asserted that the fuel saving had some part to play in the stack-up. He pointed out that on the second stage some drivers wanted move upfront while others didn’t and the chaos caused because of the decisions resulted the stack up.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)
Well, Stage 1 everyone was kind of going all out there because we’re inside that fuel window where we’re able to run 100% and get to the end of the stage. Then Stage 2, obviously a little fuel saving going on which causes a little stack up. Just seemed like some guys wanted to go, some guys didn’t and it just caused a little contact there.
Denny Hamlin said.

The week was already a huge disappointment for Denny Hamlin coming to the weekend he was hit with a massive 75 points deduction for a engine seal violation and now the wreck had made the week worse for him. He would be hoping to bounce back in the coming week at Darlington.

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