DARLINGTON, S.C. – Corey Lajoie, driver of the No. 32 GO FAS Racing Ford, has been selected the overall recipient of the 2019 National Motorsports Press Association’s Pocono Spirit Award.
Lajoie received the fourth quarter and overall award for his generosity in donating a month’s salary this past August to charity. LaJoie and his wife Kelly teamed with Samaritan’s Feet, an organization founded in 2003, to provide shoes to children and individuals in need to inspire hope and encouragement. With help from GO FAS Racing, $100,000 was raised through names placed on his car to support Samaritan’s Feet during the Cup race at Watkins Glen International.
The NMPA Pocono Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. The NMPA membership selects quarterly recipients as well as an overall winner each year. The award is sponsored by Pocono (Pa.) Raceway and has been presented annually since 1992.
LaJoie received the award on Saturday, Feb. 1 during the organization’s annual convention and awards ceremony held in Charlotte, N.C.
“I joked when I received the award that I don’t usually get trophies very often,” LaJoie said with a smile. “This is one of those things that could be considered a heavenly treasure and not and earthy treasure. Being a part of this venture really was a GOD thing, every part of it. GOD had his hand in this. If I said it was all my idea that wouldn’t be true because HE had his hand in it. It was pretty cool to be involved with Samaritan’s Feet and to be recognized in front of the media for it is very special. Hopefully now they can be more aware of the cause.”
The NMPA Pocono Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. The membership of the NMPA selects quarterly recipients as well as an overall winner each year. The award is sponsored by Pocono (Pa.) Raceway and has been presented annually since 1992.
Other quarterly nominees throughout 2019 were; Austin and Ty Dillion for their annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament benefitting the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, the Ryan Blaney Foundation in support of Alzheimer’s research and Kurt Busch for his KB100 race ticket giveaway to members of the United States military.
