LJ Racing Driver Announcement

Mooresville, NC (January 4, 1999)--Joe Falk announced today that Steve Grissom will drive the #91 LJ Racing Chevrolet for the 1999 season.

Steve Grissom's racing career began in Alabama, driving local short tracks and competing on the NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro Series where he was the 1985 Champion. He then drove in the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series where he scored 11 career wins and captured the championship in 1993.

Steve's first NASCAR Winston Cup Series event was in 1990 at Atlanta Motor Speedway driving for Dick Moroso. His first full Winston Cup season was in 1994, with Diamond Ridge Motorsports, where he finished second in the Rookie of the Year race. He continued driving for Diamond Ridge in 1995 and 1996; their best finish was fifth at Rockingham in 1996.

Steve drove for Larry Hedrick in 1997 and 1998 with the #41 Kodiak Racing Team as a replacement for Ricky Craven. While there, he qualified on the outside pole for the 1997 Daytona 500 and turned in strong performances at Richmond--11th, Texas--10th, New Hampshire--4th (a career high), Watkins Glen--9th, Bristol--5th and Phoenix--8th. It was the kind of season that underscored his growing maturity behind the wheel of a Winston Cup car.

"Steve is an experienced driver on the Winston Cup Series, and is eager for that first win," says owner Joe Falk. "The entire team is looking forward to working with him to accomplish our 1999 goals." The team performed strong in 1998 with five different drivers behind the wheel and finished fifth in the season finale at Atlanta.

LJ Racing and Steve Grissom are optimistic that together they can build a strong effort for 1999.