Labonte Qualifies 27th for Auto Club 500

FONTANA, Calif. Friday, April 30, 2004 – Bobby Labonte qualified 27th for the Auto Club 500 during Bud Pole Qualifying April 30 at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

Labonte turned a lap of 39.180 seconds, 183.767 mph in the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet. He will start on the inside of Row 14 next to veteran Kyle Petty.

“We didn’t qualifying as well as we’d have liked too,” Labonte said. “Starting back in the 14th row on Sunday will make the job a little bit tougher. But, the race is 500 miles long, and I know the Interstate guys will work hard. We’ve got two practice sessions on Saturday to get the car right for Sunday, so we’ll work hard.”

Rookie Kasey Kahne won the Bud Pole 38.515, 186.940. Labonte’s teammate, Tony Stewart, qualified 11th in Home Depot Chevrolet at 28.886, 185.157.

The race begins at 3:30 p.m. (EST) and will be broadcast live on FOX and MRN.