MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 - Bobby Labonte Notes

LABONTE HOPES TO REKINDLE SOME MAGIC IN DOVER

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (May 27, 2003) - As Bobby Labonte arrives this weekend to Dover International Speedway for the MBNA Armed Forces Family 400, he feels as though it's time to get some of that old magic back he used to possess at the track they refer to as the 'Monster Mile'.

In one stretch of races from 1995 until 2000, Labonte recorded 10 top-five finishes in that particular 12-race span. As great as that stretch was though, the last two seasons have been anything but exciting. In the last four events at the famed one-mile oval, Labonte could only muster a 12-place finish, which is something he is not very pleased with, or proud of.

"We used to be guaranteed of a great run there for the longest time it seemed," said Labonte. "And it wasn't that we were sitting in victory lane all the time, but we could always count on a top-five for sure. The last two years though were a struggle to say the least. We just couldn't seem to get out of our own way over the last four trips to Dover. Based on what we've done so far this season though, I do think this weekend will be a little different. At least I hope so."

As Labonte mentioned, if the first 12 races of this season are any indication, then the results should turn around for the entire Interstate Batteries Racing Team this weekend. Coming into Dover, Labonte leads the circuit with seven top-five finishes and has recorded four of those in the last four races.

"We seem to be hitting on all eight cylinders right at the moment," explained Labonte. "Michael (McSwain) and all the guys are working really well together right now and things just seem to be falling into place. Even when we don't unload really fast off the truck, we seem to be able to get it turned around and headed in the right direction before qualifying or the race."

Similar to his championship season of 2000, Labonte and the entire team are hoping to continue to build on their current streak of top-fives and gain the consistency back that carried him to his first and only title.

"We've had a great record with all our guys," added Labonte. "It's not about one thing. It's not just about the driver. It's about everything there. The crew, the car, the chassis, the bodies, the engines and the communication. The guys who work on this racecar really take care of the stuff, make sure that everything stays on it and we're on top of it. That's what happened in 2000."

"We were consistent, and we didn't have any problems. We didn't have as much bad luck that year as we've already had this year. These last four races, where we finished second, second, second and third, that's pretty darn consistent and you can't beat that except by a couple more spots. I'm really happy for all the guys, and it's a lot of fun to come to the racetrack knowing you have a competitive race car and you can run up front and have a chance to win."

Though he is four years removed since his last and only victory in Dover, Labonte still holds the qualifying and race records from that strong performance in 1999 in which he led five times for 26 laps en route to the victory. And with 79% of the race winners coming from the top-10 starting positions, he is all too familiar with the importance of securing a good starting position for Sunday's event.

"Dover is one of those places that is hard to come from the back and win," admitted Labonte. "I am not saying it can't be done, but it is so hard. The leaders are able to get out there in clean air and it does not take long for cars to start going a lap down. That's why it's so important to start up near the front. It also helps in missing a lot of the accidents that inevitably happen in the middle part of the pack."

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