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