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NASCAR BGN: Randy Lajoie event preview, Phoenix

1 November 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Event: Outback Steakhouse 200
Track: Phoenix International Raceway (PIR)
Track Specs: Length -- one-mile oval

LaJoie on His History at PIR:

"I thought we were going to have a good run last year in the Busch car, but during Happy Hour, I drove it into the wall.

"This was a new track for the Busch Series last year, but I also had the opportunity to race on the track several years ago in a NASCAR Winston Cup car. I drove the No. 66 TropArtic Pontiac for Cale Yarborough in 1991, but, unfortunately we had engine trouble and I fell out of the race early."

LaJoie's Driving Tips for PIR:

"There's a wall coming off of turn two that can play havoc if you're a little tight. If you are tight, you're probably going to hit it (the wall). There's a cool dogleg down the backstretch that really makes you whistle into turn three -- it's fun. There's a couple of different walls that can really jump out at you, and if you aren't paying attention you'll hit them.

"Phoenix reminds me of some of the Busch Series tracks like Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, Gateway (Mo.) International Raceway, New Hampshire International Speedway and Pikes Peak (Colo.) International Raceway. For some reason, I do really well at flat, one-mile ovals like Phoenix."

Text Provided By DeLana Linville

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