ROCKINGHAM — Just days before the Black’s Tire 200, one racing team has announced a driver replacement.
Kaulig Racing reported Tuesday that Corey LaJoie would be replacing Daniel Dye in the No. 10 Dodge Ram for the rest of the season, following the latter’s resignation — despite being reinstated in NASCAR after completing sensitivity training.
Dye had been suspended by both Kaulig and NASCAR on March 17 for “insensitive comments” about Indycar driver David Malukas during a livestream. He issued a public apology the same day.
Dye also issued a statement on March 31 announcing he was stepping down.
“I’m incredibly thankful for my time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and for the chance to compete with Kaulig Racing alongside some of the most passionate fans in motorsports,” Dye said.
“NASCAR has played a meaningful role in my development and I don’t take that opportunity lightly,” Dye continued. “After a lot of honest self-reflection and guidance from mentors I trust, I’ve decided the smartest move for my career is to realign my focus on my long-term objective of becoming a successful driver at the highest level of stock car racing.”
While Dye did not compete in the Black’s Tire 200 last year, he did finish 9th at the N.C. Education Lottery 250 in the then-Xfinity Series, now the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Both LaJoie and Cup Series Ty Dillon will be driving for Kaulig at Rockingham Speedway on Friday. Dillon will be behind the wheel of the No. 25 — which LaJoie was originally slated to pilot in the race — as a free agent.
“I really appreciate the confidence Kaulig Racing and Ram have in me,” LaJoie said in a press release. “I have been a part of building a couple teams from the ground up and getting success and I will bring that experience to help Kaulig get to their potential on a quicker path. I love what Kaulig and Ram are doing to promote the Truck series and the sport. It will be a fun challenge to be a part of.”
According to Kaulig, LaJoie won three consecutive UARA-STARS late model races at Rockingham in 2011 and 2012, and was runner-up behind Tyler Reddick in the 2012 ARCA Menards Series East race at the track.
“We selected Corey because of his extensive experience in just about every series in NASCAR and how well he worked with our organization at Darlington when he drove the No. 25,” Chris Rice, chief executive officer of Kaulig Racing, said in a press release.
“He brings the skill, maturity and work ethic we need to get our Ram program where it needs to be. We think he’ll help us speed that development and battle for checkered flags. We’re confident he’s the right driver to help us.”
Dillon placed eighth and 12th, respectively, in the 2012 and 2013 truck races at the Rock.
Dillon won’t be the only Cup Series driver competing in the Black’s Tire 200 this weekend.
Earlier in the season, Spire Motorsports announced that Carson Hocevar would be driving the No. 77.
Spire also announced on March 31 that Sammy Smith, winner of the 2025 N.C. Education Lottery 250, will be driving the No. 7 in the truck series. Smith was named the victor after initial winner Jesse Love was disqualified.
Smith isn’t the only driver with double-duty this weekend, as Cleetus McFarland is slated to compete in both the ARCA Menards Series East and the O’Reilly series.
The Black’s Tire 200 is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 3 as the first race of a triple-header weekend at the Rock. There are two races scheduled for Saturday, April 4: a 125-lap race in the ARCA Menards Series East; and the N.C. Education Lottery 250 in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
The NASCAR festivities kick off Thursday, April 2 with ThunderFest in downtown Rockingham, featuring driver meet-and-greets, food and other vendors, and entertainment from Anna J and the Eli Young Band.
Tickets are available at racetherock.com.
