Checker Auto Parts 500 - Bobby Labonte Notes

LABONTE LOOKS FORWARD TO RACING AT PHOENIX

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 28, 2003) - Given that Bobby Labonte has not really excelled at the Phoenix International Raceway in his ten previous trips there, one would assume he is not looking forward to the trip out West. In all honesty, his mindset is just the opposite in fact. With a blown motor in last year's event, Labonte is looking for a rebound of major proportions this weekend.

Never one to rest with anything mediocre, Labonte and the Interstate Batteries Racing Team feel as though they have stepped up their performance on flat-tracks such as Phoenix in recent years and he sees this weekend's race as a chance to continue that trend. And following what seemed like the "24 hours of Atlanta" this past weekend due to a rain-delayed race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, in which Labonte finished fifth, he is also happy to be heading to a much drier climate when he arrives in Phoenix later this week.

"I have always enjoyed coming out here and racing," remarked Labonte. "I don't have the best finishing average out there, but I do enjoy racing there. We have had some mechanical problems and such that have prevented us from having better finishes, but I think our overall flat-track program has improved dramatically. I will have to admit that a lot of that improvement has been in large part to the #20 team coming on board. Since they have joined Joe Gibbs Racing, I think we have improved our overall program at a lot of places."

"I did not get to test out there this year, but Tony (Stewart) was able to a couple of weeks ago and that should give us a good baseline to unload with there this week," he added. "With all the changes that they have made to the track, we felt it was important for one of the teams to go out there and test. Tony and Zippy (Greg Zipadelli) decided to test at Phoenix and "Fatback" (Michael McSwain) and I are taking the #18 team to Rockingham this week for our final test session of the season. Hopefully we'll be prepared for both places."

While being prepared is usually easier said than done, Labonte feels as though the work the team is doing behind the scenes and all the testing he and Stewart are doing are making a major difference when they show up at the track.

"We have stepped up at places like Martinsville and Indy and feel as though we can do the same this weekend in Phoenix," said Labonte. "We have worked really hard on our short-track and flat-track programs and it seems to be working. The main thing we need to be able to do is be able to unload fast. We get the same amount of practice each weekend, but a flat-track seems so much harder to get the handle on."

"Since there is not much practice time during the weekend," Labonte continued. "You need to be in the ballpark with your set-up or you will be chasing your tail all weekend and that is never fun. I have been there and done that, and it's like your fighting a losing battle. Thankfully though, we seem to be hitting on a number of things lately and hopefully that will make a big difference for us this weekend in Phoenix."

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