Corey LaJoie Warns Drivers Ahead of Martinsville Speedway: ‘You’re Going to Get Roughed Up’

As the XFINITY 500 approaches, set to take place at the famous Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, driver Corey LaJoie has issued a warning to his fellow racers: brace for the rough nature of the race ahead.

Known for its tight, .526-mile track and the challenging race it presents, Martinsville is a staple in the NASCAR calendar, marking the 35th round of 36. On this Sunday, November 3rd, the Speedway will host drivers for a grueling 500-lap battle, pushing them to their limits over a total distance of 263 miles.

Corey LaJoie, driving the No. 51 Jacob Construction Ford Mustang Dark Horse, is no stranger to the demands of short-track racing at Martinsville.

“Yeah, it doesn’t matter what car or series the win comes in, you’re going to have a little more confidence because you know you’ve done it at that track before. Martinsville is the same no matter what you’re driving,” he said in a press release.

“It’s more about trying to stay in that rhythm every lap and not letting the little things get in the way.

“You’re going to get roughed up, but that’s part of it. It’s short-track racing at its best and it’s that much more rewarding when you can leave with a good finish.”

Competing in his 14th career start at this track, LaJoie’s best finishes have been two 18th-place positions, achieving an average finish of 26.6 across previous races with a total of 14 laps led. However, his win in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in October 2022 proved his skill on this demanding course, where he led 110 out of the total laps, breaking through against stiff competition. This has bolstered LaJoie’s confidence—something he’ll need given the physical complexity of short-track racing.

Martinsville Speedway is infamous for its close-quarter battles, where drivers will be in frequent contact, a characteristic of the tightly configured oval track. The circuit’s rough nature, acknowledged by LaJoie, is also a challenge.

“It’s fun until it isn’t. There are so many ways it can go wrong, but I really enjoy short-track racing where the driver can make a big difference in how the race goes. You know track position is going to be important, you know there will be teams trying different strategies when we get down to the cautions that just keep coming. It just comes down to not messing up those opportunities to put your car at the front of the field,” LaJoie explained.

Piloting the No. 51 car for Rick Ware Racing, LaJoie anticipates a robust outing.

“I really think we can have a strong weekend and I’m looking forward to getting to Martinsville with the No. 51 team,” he said

As a third-generation racer, he’s influenced by his father Randy LaJoie—a two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion.

Driving to win the coveted Grandfather Clock trophy, the race, broadcast on NBC and simulcast via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, promises to be an engaging one.