Labonte Has Disappointing All-Star Challenge

CONCORD, N.C., Sunday, May 23, 2004 – Bobby Labonte endured a tough night at the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge, struggling with an ill-handling car and finishing 15th in the non points event.

Matt Kenseth won the all-star event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“It’s disappointing,” Labonte said. “We chased the set up all night and couldn’t get a handle on it. We tried a ton of things and nothing seemed to work. But, the good thing is, it doesn’t affect us in the points, and we learned some things for the Coca-Cola 600 next week.

Labonte started ninth in the race, which consists of 90 total laps, made up of three segments of 40, 30 and 20 laps. Teams must make a mandatory, green flag pit stop at some point during the first 40-lap segment.

He got only as high as eighth after a 10-car accident on Lap 11 eliminated several of the 25 contenders for the $1 million purse.

Throughout the remainder of the night, Labonte and the Interstate Batteries Racing Team attempted tire pressure, wedge and track-bar adjustments, as well as shock and driveshaft alterations during numerous pit stops. However, nothing seemed to work and the team ended the race in the 15th. It was Labonte’s worst finish in the All-Star race since 2002 when he finished 16th after an accident.

The team will now concentrate on the Coca-Cola 600 and the race for the NEXTEL Cup Championship. Labonte is seventh in points and has finished in the top 10 in the last four points-paying races.

The Coca-Cola 600, the longest event on the NEXTEL Cup schedule starts at 5 p.m. (EST) May 30 and will be broadcast live on FOX and PRN.