A number of factors are involved when a major corporation decides to sponsor a NASCAR driver. Some go for marketability and image while others put all their stock into how many races a particular driver is expected to win.

And then sometimes the decision is made merely on a good feeling.

“

My hope is to pay it forward. I can't tell you how proud I am of my sister and to be working with the Barsness family. A lot of good will come from this next season.

”

-- SCOTT LAGASSE JR.

As cliché as it sounds, some times "things just happen for a reason," said Scott Lagasse Jr., the 26-year-old Floridian picked to drive CJM Racing's No. 11 Toyota entry for the full Nationwide Series schedule in 2009.

The decision was last-minute and orchestrated through a small web of people that ultimately led Lagasse to Richard and Cheryl Barsness, owners of America's Incredible Pizza Co., a string of family entertainment venues located throughout the Midwest and Texas that will support Lagasse's campaign next season.

Through dinner conversation nearing the end of last season, Lagasse and the Barsness family learned of their strong commonality and connection which reached far beyond a race track or their shared affinity for NASCAR.

The connection: Fostering and caring for orphaned children.

"They just got back from the orphanage in Mexico and I was amazed at their story," Lagasse recalled. "They weren't there to just stroke a check. They are totally committed to this orphanage so I wanted to tell them about my sister and I told them I wanted to go to the orphanage."

Growing up as a young boy, Lagasse remembered many different children passing in and out of his family home in St. Augustine, Fla. His parents fostered children in need of emergency assistance.

They could have more children of their own, but chose to adopt a 15-month old bi-racial girl they had fostered for nearly four years.

Named Donalyn, she struggled to overcome the affects of a drug-addicted biological mother but taught the Lagasse family invaluable lessons about adversity and humility.

Today she is a senior in college, heavily involved with charities and a huge inspiration to her older brother Scott.

"That's why I can tell people when I joined CJM Racing and America's Incredible Pizza Co. that things happen for a reason. There's just no other explanation for it," Lagasse said.

His mother Carol Lagasse has an explanation.

"I believe there is a higher person working this relationship," she said. "Scotty ended up right where he belongs, no question. I think Scotty and the Barsness family are kindred spirits. His success is not for him but for him to share and pass to others."

Joining CJM racing, a single-car team finding stability while some are forced to close their doors in today's weak economy, Lagasse is expected to benefit from an alliance formed with CJM and Joe Gibbs Racing.

For the first time in four seasons, Lagasse will be eligible to compete for rookie of the year honors as this year will mark his first full season in the Nationwide Series. His debut in NASCAR began in 2005 with Chip Ganassi Racing and JTG Racing as a development driver but neither venture proved to be long-term.

Now, Cheryl and Rick Barsness are eager to watch their young driver find success as they too were once in his shoes more than 30 years ago.

As a young married couple, the Barsnesses started their pizza business in Victoria, Texas, living out of the back of the store as it was being built. Over time, their business grew and so did their family.

In 2003, they franchised their pizza company and by 2007 were able to launch the Incredible Pizza Co. Foundation and began funding children's homes and orphanages locally and globally.

"When we heard Scott's story it really touched our hearts and we are so excited that he's interested in coming to the orphanage (Emanuel Ministries in Juarez, Mexico) and supporting our mission," said Cheryl. "There values and our values are right next to each other and we believe in taking care of each other. It's really a perfect match."

For Lagasse, the partnership is inspiring and motivating not only on the track but off the track as well.

"My hope is to pay it forward. I can't tell you how proud I am of my sister and to be working with the Barsness family," he said. "A lot of good will come from this next season."