LaJoie has reason to look forward to Daytona

CONCORD, N.C. - If you buy into the numbers game, Randy LaJoie is a sure bet to win this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. It seems that every other time the NASCAR Busch Series heads to the beach, LaJoie winds up in Victory Lane.

Randy LaJoie finished 12th at Daytona in February. Credit: Autostock

"I don't really know why that is, but it's looking pretty good for us, ain't it?" he laughed.

That it is. For the first time ever, the Busch boys will take to the high banks of Daytona under the lights this Friday, meaning that LaJoie won't have to wait until February to keep his streak alive.

"I've had very good success in the Busch Series there, so much so it's kinda weird," LaJoie said. "We seem to be winning every other race there since 1997. We won '97, '99 and 2001.

"I'm not exactly sure if it's an odd year deal or an every other race deal. I hope it's every other race. We didn't get the 300 (in February), so I'm banking on this night race."

LaJoie admits he could use the win. His last triumph came last year at Memphis Motorsports Park, one he admits was handed to him when race leader Jay Sauter got together with hard-charging Jeff Green with two laps to go, taking both cars out and handing the win to LaJoie.

Prior to that, the last win for the two-time series champion came at, you guessed it, Daytona.

	Tony Raines (left) and LaJoie. Credit: Autostock

"I don't know what it is about that place (Daytona), but since it almost killed me back in 1984, I figure it owes me a few," he said. "I totally destroyed a Winston Cup car coming off turn four, and I almost took out the Goodyear Tower too. I flipped over eight, 10 times. It seems like I've always run good there except for that one time."

During practice this weekend, LaJoie will admittedly pay attention to Winston Cup drivers taking part in the Busch Series event. Due to their experience under the lights in Daytona, he feels they'll have a distinct advantage setup-wise.

"I think heat-wise we'll be the same as last weekend (at Milwaukee), but what's that gonna do to the track? We won't have a clue," he said. "The Cup guys will have an advantage, but luckily I've always been with very good restrictor plate teams. And we'll be able to feed off Joe's (Nemecheck, co-team owner) information and his experience at the night races in the Winston Cup cars, too."

Aside from his current team, Evans Motorsports, LaJoie won restictor plate races with BACE Motorsports and James Finch's always potent No. 1 team. Having such a deep understanding of the intricacies of the draft is crucial.

"Winning this weekend would be a great way to start off the second half off the year, absolutely," LaJoie said. "I was blessed with being a teammate to Buddy Baker at Moroso's years ago, and he taught me so much.

"They said he could draft off a hot dog wrapper on the back stretch. I think it's true. And IROC helped me learn a lot, too. I learned how to find a little air off of anything, where it is and how to play it."

LaJoie certainly knows how to play Daytona. The numbers don't lie.

"I absolutely think we can win this race," he said. "At least the numbers are on our side this time. Every other race, man. Every other race is ours. Hopefully, that'll continue."