PREVIEW: TERRY LABONTE (NO. 44 GMAC CHEVROLET)
VENUE: CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY (TWO-MILE OVAL)
CIRCUIT: NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES (RACE 25 OF 36)
EVENT: SUNDAY, SEPT. 3 (250 LAPS, 500 MILES)

FINAL CALIFORNIA START: Driving a No. 44 GMAC Chevrolet, two-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Terry Labonte will make his 12th start at California Speedway on Sunday. It will mark the final California race of his storied career.

NUMBERS GAME: Labonte, who will drive a No. 44 Chevy this weekend, has led 44 laps at California and started 844 career NEXTEL Cup races.

LABONTE AT CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY: In 11 career California starts, Labonte has recorded two top-five finishes, four top-10s and earned nearly $1 million. He's completed 98.5 percent of his laps there, with only one DNF.

TOP-THREES IN FIRST TWO: Labonte scored top-three finishes in his first two starts at California, finishing second to teammate Jeff Gordon in 1997 and third in 1998.

HENDRICK AT CALI: Rick Hendrick has scored five wins at California Speedway, the most of any car owner. Gordon is responsible for three of those victories, with Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch each earning one.

THREE TO GO: Labonte will next race at Kansas Speedway on Oct. 1, followed by his final trip to Lowe's Motor Speedway on Oct. 14. The last race of his career will come Nov. 5 at Texas Motor Speedway.

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'TEXAS TERRY' IN CORPUS: Terry Labonte will return to his native Corpus Christi, Texas, on Wednesday, Sept. 6 to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Whataburger Field prior to Game 2 of the Texas League Division Series. Labonte will be pulling for his hometown Corpus Christi Hooks, owned by baseball great and fellow Texas legend Nolan Ryan.

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TERRY LABONTE, DRIVER OF THE NO. 44 GMAC CHEVROLET: (WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS GOING INTO CALIFORNIA?) "I think we'll run well. I've had some really good races in California over the years. I like the track -- it's probably one of my favorites. I just hope we'll have a good car that handles like we need it and get a good run. We've always been really competitive there, so hopefully that'll continue."

LABONTE: (ON RUNNING A LIMITED SCHEDULE.) "It's harder for a team to run a limited schedule. You don't make pit stops every week and everything changes so much from race to race that it feels like you're trying to hit a moving target. You're not able to learn something one week and apply it the next. You sit out a few (races), then you're playing catch-up all weekend. I'm not saying it can't be done -- it just makes it more difficult because it's harder to put the whole package together."

LABONTE: (WITH THE CHASE COMING UP, WILL YOU RACE THE CONTENDERS DIFFERENTLY?) "I think I will, and they will also. They don't want to take any chances either. It goes both ways. You sure don't want to get involved in an incident with one of those guys and hurt their chances of being in the top 10. On the other side of the coin, when you're in their position, you've got to be careful, too. If you're sitting there ninth or 10th in points and near guys who aren't even close, you really shouldn't mess around much [LAUGHS]. It's a two-way street. You're always aware of where the contenders are and you sure don't want to mess anyone up. It's a big deal to get into to top 10. Those guys have all worked hard to get there."