Zaxby's to be sponsor of Wood Brothers/JTG Ford

HARRISBURG, N.C. -- Wood Brothers/JTG Racing has announced that Zaxby's restaurants and the team have come to terms on a sponsorship deal that will provide backing for one of their two full-time Craftsman Truck Series teams. Representative drivers will be Joey Clanton, scheduled to run 16 events and Stacy Compton, set to run the rest.

"We're more than excited to welcome Zaxby's as a brand new sponsor for our organization," team owner Tad Geschickter said. "Wood Brothers/JTG and Zaxby's have both experienced strong growth in recent years and we look forward to developing a successful partnership and growing together during the 2007 season."

Zaxby's, headquartered in Athens, Ga., operates more than 365 restaurants in 10 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.

Zaxby's founders Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley are already aware that race sponsorships make sense in their business plans.

"We've sponsored Late Model teams in the past and remain impressed by how loyal the racing fan base can be," McLeroy said. "This year, as we look to further our success by reaching the milestone of our 400th location, we celebrate the fast, successful growth of the company and all the people who have made it possible -- this makes racing an obvious 'vehicle' to get the Zaxby's brand out to even more people."

With Clanton and Compton behind the wheel, the team will also be changing numbers on the Zaxby's Ford F-150 -- from No. 20 to the No. 09, which has always been the Zaxby's sponsored team number in the past.

"We are committed to our racing programs and believe it helps in the success of our business," Townley said. "The goals and aims of our business platform, such as high-quality food, efficient service and vibrant internal workforce will be expressed in our participation in the highly visible Craftsman Truck Series."