Pocono 500 - Bobby Labonte Notes

LABONTE LOOKING FOR FOURTH CAREER VICTORY AT POCONO

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (June 2, 2003) - In the midst of five consecutive top-three finishes, no one could be more excited to be coming to Pocono this weekend than Bobby Labonte. Having swept both events at the 2.5-mile odd-shaped oval in 1999 in addition to his victory there in July 2001, Labonte is looking not only to extend his current streak of top-three finishes, but is also looking for career win number four this weekend in the Pocono 500.

"I really enjoy racing at Pocono and have done well there in the past," said Labonte. "We hope to continue the good fortune we are experiencing right now and that we are able to maybe improve the finishing position a couple of spots. Especially since we weren't very proud of our finishes up there last season."

With finishes of 26th and 11th in last years event's, Labonte had a right to be disappointed after recording three victories and six top-10 finishes over a seven race period from 1998 until 2001.

"We seemed to be untouchable up there for a while," Labonte admitted. "Then it seemed like the bottom fell out of it and we came crashing back down to earth last year. Both races we had difficulties and just couldn't seem to get it headed in the right direction. Then again, we had a tough time everywhere last season, not just at Pocono."

It's very easy to notice that the 2003 season is entirely different compared to 2002 for Bobby Labonte and the Interstate Batteries Racing Team, but what you don't notice is that Labonte and team are just going about there business and are not being affected by the recent surge in the point standings. In their eyes, not much has changed except for the amount of media requests that are coming in.

"That's all anyone wants to ask me now-a-days is about what's different from this season to last season," joked Labonte. "I try to be as polite and honest to everyone with my answers when I admit to them that there's not one particular thing. I try and explain to them it's lots of little things that have made the biggest differences, but no one seems to believe me. I wish I knew what the magic is, but I just know right now everything seems to be working out great and I am not wanting to do anything to change that."

Big changes or little changes, whatever the case may be, Labonte knows that what has happened over the last five races doesn't matter when he gets in the car on Friday morning in Pocono for practice.

"We all start with a clean sheet of paper every weekend," explained Labonte. "Momentum does mean a little bit, but it won't help figure out all three corners at Pocono. This is one of those places you have to be willing to sacrifice a little bit to go fast. All three corners are so different in terms of the set-up, so it's important to be open-minded and get as comfortable as possible in the car knowing that one of the corners you might be giving up a little speed in order to gain momentum on the other parts of the track."

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