Subway 500 - Bobby Labonte Notes

BOBBY LABONTE - THE NEW SHORT TRACK KING

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 14, 2003) - As strange as that might seem to most, Bobby Labonte has put together an impressive résumé this season in the five short-track races run so far. In typical Labonte fashion, he has not been flashy or dominating any of the headlines when it comes to the short-track races, yet he has quietly managed to become the leader of the pack in 2003 when it comes to the bullrings on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.

In the five races run so far at Bristol, Richmond and Martinsville, site of this weekend's final short-track race of the season, Labonte has scored an impressive 757 points, more than any other driver. He, along with current points leader Matt Kenseth, are the only drivers to score four top-ten finishes and Labonte is the only driver to score three top-five finishes in those events this year.

"We've done a pretty good job there," said Labonte. "I would have to say a lot of the credit goes to 'Fatback' (Michael McSwain) and the guys working on the cars though. We have really stepped up the program there and everything seems to be going in the right direction. I wish we could have had this same success at all the other tracks, but it's so hard with as tough as the competition is nowadays."

"I remember when we used to always dominate the places like Atlanta, Charlotte and even Michigan," he added. "Not that we are running terrible at those places now, but I don't think I would have ever guessed I would have gained the most points at the short-tracks. I think I am just as surprised as everyone else is, but I am not complaining."

In the season's first event at Martinsville back in April, Labonte didn't start the weekend off on a high note, having to take a provisional just to make the field. After starting 39th, it wasn't long before Labonte found himself close to going a lap down to eventual race winner Jeff Gordon by just the 35th lap.

What ensued on the racetrack was impressive to say the least. Over the next 25 laps, Labonte maneuvered his way around 17 cars to put room between he and Gordon and when a subsequent caution-flag came out, Labonte and the team gambled on two-tire pit stop to gain even more track position, which they never gave up the remainder of the afternoon. In the end though, Labonte finished in second-place behind Gordon.

"The Martinsville race was a big turning point for myself and 'Fatback' as a driver-crew chief combination," admitted Labonte. "The communication that day was awesome and he made me take some chances I might not have normally wanted to take, but I trusted him with his calls in the pits and it paid off. It's only gotten better since then and I hope we can have as much success this weekend."

While some might say that Labonte's record in 2003 at the short-tracks is just luck or a fluke, it's hard to argue with the fact that Labonte has been the best driver on the short-tracks over the last four years or so. In the last 25 events run on the bullrings, Labonte has scored more points than any other driver and has managed 16 top-ten finishes. Additionally, he has averaged an 11th place finishing position. Though he still only has one short-track victory to his credit, it would be hard to count him out this weekend in Martinsville.

©Copyright 2003 Race 2 Win