Nascar Race Today

By: Al Pearce on October 23, 2013

It's been a tough few days for Richard Petty Motorsports. First, crew chief Todd Parrott was suspended by NASCAR and subsequently fired by RPM for violation of NASCAR's substance abuse policy. Now, Corey LaJoie, the RPM developmental driver in the K&N East Series, has been penalized for violating NASCAR's Code of Conduct.

According to a press release the 22-year-old son of former two-time Nationwide Series champion and former Cup driver Randy LaJoie was cited on Oct. 15 for violating Sections 7-5 (the Code of Conduct) and Section 12-1, the umbrella "actions detrimental to stock car racing" of the 2013 Rule Book." Even though the K&N season ended last weekend, he's been indefinitely suspended and ordered to undergo NASCAR-directed sensitivity training.

The action stems from a Twitter posted by LaJoie that asked: "Is it stereotyping to ask TSA to cavity search the gentleman with a turban and a gray beard? I didn't think so, either." The posting was taken down, but not before the damage was done.

"Corey LaJoie recently issued an insensitive and intolerable communication that has no place in our sport," said George Silbermann, the NASCAR vice president of regional and touring series. "Each of NASCAR's 2013 series-specific Rule Books includes our Code of Conduct that unequivocally states our stance specific to the use of demeaning language. We expect our entire industry to adhere to that Code."

On Wednesday, he offered the standard apology: "I am very sorry for those offended by my recent remark. It was an immature and insensitive comment. I'm upset with myself and how this has affected what has been a very positive year in my career."

LaJoie finished eighth in K&N East points in 2011 and second in 2012, but ran only a limited schedule this year. He has one pole, five victories, 17 top-five finishes and 20 top-10 finishes in his 35 career K&N starts. He also has raced in NASCAR's Whelen Modified and Whelen Southern Modified tours, and has won three of six ARCA races.

In June of 2010 his father, a 15-time Nationwide Series race winner, was suspended two months for violating NASCAR's substance abuse policy. Randy LaJoie, 49 at the time, took ownership of the violation, admitting to smoking pot with some fans after a race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. He was retired, but had a NASCAR license (making him subject to testing) and was a crewman on a Nationwide team at the time. He was reinstated in August.

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