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Corey LaJoie released from care center after wild airborne flip in NASCAR race at Michigan

Aug 10, 2024; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie (7) during practice and qualifying for the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2024; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie (7) during practice and qualifying for the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports USA TODAY Sports

Corey LaJoie went for one of the most wild rides NASCAR has seen all season.

During the resumption of this weekend’s Cup Series race at Michigan on Monday morning, the No. 7 car flipped in the air and went airborne after making contact with Noah Gragson. LaJoie’s car came down, landed on its roof and skidded onto the grass in Turn 3, where it flipped several more times.

LaJoie was evaluated and released from the infield care center.

“That’s just about the way the year’s gone,” LaJoie told the USA Network broadcast. “You know, we have a good car, and I find a way to flip it upside down. Twice this year, we’ve been upside down, and I haven’t been upside down in my whole career. Unfortunately, that’s how the year for our No. 7 team. We’ve had speed, just haven’t been able to put it all together.

“But the No. 10 (Gragson) chopped me a couple of times, especially off (Turn 2) and I had a run, and I don’t know, I haven’t seen the replay yet. If he pulled it off the wall when I was trying to get his left rear. … It was a ride, buddy.”

Tyler Reddick went on to win the race, which had been red-flagged and halted because of rain on Sunday. The driver of the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing prevailed following several overtime restarts, holding off Charlotteans William Byron (who finished second) and Ty Gibbs (P3).

Corey Lajoie runs during Saturday’s practice for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
Corey Lajoie runs during Saturday’s practice for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mike Dickie / USA TODAY NETWORK

This story was originally published August 19, 2024 at 10:27 AM with the headline "Corey LaJoie released from care center after wild airborne flip in NASCAR race at Michigan."

Shane Connuck
The Charlotte Observer
Shane Connuck is a former journalist for The Charlotte Observer
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