R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, In anticipation of welcoming NASCAR fans arriving 1-2 from all 50 states and from foreign countries to attend inaugural 1-3 racing events at the new Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, 1-4 developed by Bruton Smith, CEO of Speedway Motor Sports, and under 1-5 the direction of General Manager Eddie Gossage, and recognizing the 1-6 economic development for Texas that comes with this sport, the 1-7 Texas House of Representatives takes pride in welcoming these 1-8 individuals and recognizing the NASCAR 1996 Busch Grand National 1-9 Championship Team represented by Randy LaJoie, Steve Bird, and Bill 1-10 Baumgardner, respectively driver, crew chief, and owner of the BACE 1-11 Motorsports Number 74 FINA Chevrolet Monte Carlo; and 1-12 WHEREAS, BACE Motorsports entered the 1996 Busch Grand 1-13 National season as the defending champion, teamed up with new 1-14 driver, Randy LaJoie, and new sponsor, Dallas-based FINA, 1-15 Incorporated; and 1-16 WHEREAS, This team attempted to make history by being the 1-17 first Busch Grand National team to win two consecutive Busch Grand 1-18 National Championships utilizing different drivers each year; and 1-19 WHEREAS, During the season with the BACE Motorsports team, 1-20 Randy LaJoie drove the FINA-sponsored Number 74 to victory five 1-21 times and backed up the wins with 11 top-five and 20 top-10 1-22 finishes throughout the 1996 season; and 1-23 WHEREAS, This outstanding performance by Randy LaJoie and the 1-24 FINA racing team made history by winning the NASCAR 1996 Busch 2-1 Grand National Crown; and 2-2 WHEREAS, The FINA racing team began its defense of the 1996 2-3 Championship by winning the first race of the 1997 season, 2-4 Gargoyles 300, held in Daytona Beach, Florida, on February 15, 2-5 1997; now, therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-7 Legislature, hereby commend Randy LaJoie, BACE Motorsports, and 2-8 FINA, Incorporated, on their achievement and extend to them 2-9 appreciation for their support and participation in promoting 2-10 tourism in the State of Texas and the upcoming 1997 NASCAR events 2-11 at Texas Motor Speedway; and, be it further 2-12 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-13 prepared for them as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-14 House of Representatives. Palmer _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 495 was adopted by the House on April 1, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House