While the Corey LaJoie-Justin Haley swap starting this weekend might have surprised some, here's why it makes sense for both teams.

Prior to last Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Spire Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing announced a move that we don’t see too often in the NASCAR Cup Series, a trade. Corey LaJoie and Justin Haley will swap teams for the remainder of the 2024 season,

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Corey LaJoie and Justin Haley will switch rides beginning next weekend at Kansas Speedway, Spire Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing announced Friday. LaJoie, 32, will move to the No. 51 for Rick Ware Racing, while Haley will drive the No. 7 for Spire Motorsports beginning next week.

Denny Hamlin said on Monday’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast that the driver trade sending Corey LaJoie to Rick Ware Racing and Justin Haley to Spire Motorsports is a “good” move for both drivers. Hamlin believes the move helps take some of the pressure off of LaJoie,

Spire Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing said Friday that the two teams will swap drivers Justin Haley and Corey LaJoie, starting next week.

Rick Ware Racing and Spire Motorsports will swap drivers early to get a jump on 2025, the NASCAR Cup Series teams announced Friday.

In what is effectively NASCAR ’s version of an in-season trade, Spire Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing will swap their drivers, Corey LaJoie and Justin Haley, beginning with next weekend’s Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway.

In a surprise move, Corey LaJoie and Justin Haley will swap NASCAR teams mid-season, with LaJoie heading to Rick Ware Racing and Haley returning to Spire Motorsports