CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion Randy LaJoie was fired Monday from his ride with Evans Motorsports.

LaJoie finished 11th in Sunday’s race at The Milwaukee Mile. He is 16th in points with four top-10 and two top-five finishes. He also won poles at Nashville, Tenn., and Nazareth, Pa., this season.

The team said 2002 Busch champion and current Winston Cup rookie Greg Biffle will drive the No.7 Chevrolets in several races this year, including Friday night at Daytona International Speedway.

Winston Cup driver Joe Nemechek, whose Nemco Motorsports is a partner with Evans Motorsports, will also drive some races in the No.7.

“Randy has been a great asset to the Evans Motorsports program. He is a proven champion and a great person. Unfortunately, our program has not performed to the level I expect,” said team owner Ed Evans.

Notes

Joe Gibbs Racing has extended Winston Cup driver Bobby Labonte’s contract through 2008. His deal was to expire after next season.

Labonte has 20 wins, 101 top-five and 163 top-10 finishes in 283 starts with JGR.

“I am very blessed to have been able to drive for Joe and be a part of such a great organization,” said Labonte, the 2000 series championship.

“He has taught me a lot over the nine years I have been here.”

Morgan-McClure Motorsports has hired Busch driver Stacy Compton to drive its No.4 Pontiac in Saturday’s Winston Cup race at Daytona.

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ARCHIVE PHOTO on KRT Direct (from KRT Photo Service, 202-383-6099):

Randy LaJoie

AP-NY-06-30-03 1928EDT