BUSCH: Randy Lajoie, James Finch Get Major Sponsor

Bob Evans to sponsor LaJoie ride By Shawn A. Akers

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Feb. 19, 1999) Bob Evans Restaurants announced Friday that it will step up its sponsorship commitment of James Finch's No. 1 Chevrolet, with driver Randy LaJoie, for the balance of the 1999 NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division season.

Bob Evans had been an associate sponsor for the No. 1 Chevrolet prior to this week. It will now be the car's primary sponsor.

LaJoie gave the restaurant chain even more of an incentive last Saturday when he won the NASCAR Busch Series season-opening NAPA Auto Parts 300 at Daytona International Speedway.

"We tested the water in Daytona and found it to our liking," said Roy Getz, vice-president of marketing for Bob Evans Restaurants. "We couldn't pass up this chance to hook up with these two outstanding individuals (LaJoie and ARCA driver Shawna Robinson.)."

Bob Evans also announced that it will back Robinson, who finished second in the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde season-opening FirstPlus Financial 200 at Daytona two weeks ago, in the Winn-Dixie 300 race at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 16.

"(Phoenix Racing team owner) James Finich has proven he prepares quality race cars, so the entire Bob Evans organization is anticipating a winning season," Getz said.

Finch had been prepared to run the entire season without a primary sponsor, but it didn't take long for the team to hook one.

"Sponsor or no sponsor, James Finch always has top-notch, first-class cars on the race track," LaJoie said. "We were going to run for a championship without a sponsor, but Bob Evans coming on board is great thing for us. I'm totally ecstatic about it.

"I'm glad I was able to bring my new sponsors to victory lane last weekend. Actually, I've made a deal with them that I can bring my crew to the nearest Bob Evans for breakfast, lunch and dinner every time I win a race. That's all the motivation they need."

Source: NASCAR Online