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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 06: Chase Elliott (#9 Hendrick Motorsports NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet) acknowledges the crowd during driver introductions prior to the NASCAR Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum on February 6, 2022, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Will Navarro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 06: Chase Elliott (#9 Hendrick Motorsports NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet) acknowledges the crowd during driver introductions prior to the NASCAR Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum on February 6, 2022, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Will Navarro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
At the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Corey LaJoie was so close, yet so far from a maiden Cup Series victory. The only man standing in his way was Hendrick Motorsports driver, Chase Elliott.
In the end, he tried a last gasp move for the lead on the final lap of the race. Unfortunately, he ended up getting checked up into the wall and being classified in 21st.
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Afterward, the Spire Motorsports driver went to congratulate Elliott on his victory. This caught the attention of many NASCAR fans, and even Dale Earnhardt Jr, who all praised him.
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Speaking after the race, LaJoie said, “I’m proud of my guys at Spire. It was nice to have that thing on the win for once. I made my move, didn’t work out, he made a good block. The siren was ringing in Dawsonville, unfortunately.”
“I just wish that granny on the front row over there, wouldn’t have been clapping so much. That would have been the #7 car in Victory Lane.
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“We keep running like this, consistently, that time will come.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr and others reacted to Corey LaJoie and Chase Elliott
Dale Jr. simply shared the post on his social media, and it was pretty much his seal of approval. Meanwhile, many NASCAR fans praised LaJoie to the high heavens.
READ MORE: Chase Elliott’s Richard Petty-Esque Look at Atlanta Goes Viral
A number of responses read, “Class act!”, “Class act. Dejected, yet professional and optimistic. Makes me scream louder the next time!”, and “That’s business right there. Handled that very well’.
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 10, 2022; Hampton, Georgia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie (7) , driver Ross Chastain (1) and driver Denny Hamlin (11) race into the front stretch during the Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Additionally, there were comments like, “Time will come for Lajoie. I trust we’ll see the 7 car at victory lane soon.”, “Wanted that for Corey”, and “Corey is a great driver and he showed that today. He will eventually get a win and if they get some consistency building they could become like Front Row Motorsports over time”.
The bottom line is that LaJoie definitely won over a lot of fans. This was in spite of the fact that he was up against Chase Elliott, who is pretty well-beloved among the fans.
