Country music and NASCAR go together like cocaine and waffles.
It only makes sense for a sport that got its start in the south to be synonymous with country music. From Dale Earnhardt starring in Brooks & Dunn’s video for “Honky Tonk Truth” to Kyle Petty appearing on the Grand Ole Opry, and even legendary country singer Marty Robbins running some races in NASCAR, the sport has a long relationship with country music.
So it only makes sense that a lot of the drivers are country fans, including driver of the #7 Chevy for Spire Motorsports, Corey LaJoie.
Corey’s talked about his love for country music before, so with NASCAR here in Nashville this week for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, Whiskey Riff decided to catch up with Corey to see what he’s listening to now.
And like a lot of people, he’s a fan of both Jelly Roll and Zach Bryan.
“I’ve been on a big Jelly Roll kick. Obviously his new album’s bangin’, but I’ve been a big Jelly Roll fan for years now, so everybody’s starting to come back on the boat here but I feel like I’ve been pedaling this thing along for the last couple years.
But it’s cool to see what he’s singing about too, and what he’s writing about as well. So I definitely like that new album.”
So who are the three artists that Corey would pick for his playlist right now while he’s driving (in his personal car, obviously)?
“I’ve been on a Phil Wickham kick. So this is quite an odd mix, but I would go Phil Wickham, Jelly Roll, and Zach Bryan. I feel like that hits all the ups and downs.”
But Corey says he listens to all different types of country:
“I was on a Morgan Wallen kick for a while, went and saw him a couple times. Kameron Marlowe is another guy, he’s a Kannapolis guy so it’s pretty cool to see him get some success…
I was wearing a Cody Jinks shirt this morning, I love Cody Jinks…just kinda depends on the mood I’m in.”
I’ve gotta say, that’s a hell of a playlist that Corey’s got going right there – and one that I feel like would mirror a lot of country fans’ Spotify.
And tell me this wouldn’t get you absolutely jacked up for a race. If Corey’s listening to Cody Jinks before he hits the track, I’m putting my money on him this weekend.
