Labonte Qualifies Ninth for Coca-Cola 600

CONCORD, N.C., Thursday, May 27, 2004 – Bobby Labonte qualified ninth for the Coca-Cola 600 during Bud Pole Qualifying May 27 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Labonte turned a lap of 29.093 seconds, 185.612 mph in the No. 18 Interstate Batteries/Shrek 2 Chevrolet. He will start on the inside of Row 5 next to Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The two-lap qualifying run became interesting when Labonte struck a bird with the right-front of his car.

“That was a little strange,” Labonte said. “We’ve got Shrek on our car this week, maybe he got him. Anyway, it was a good lap for us. We came back in qualifying after a tough practice this morning. The guys worked hard, and we gave ourselves a solid starting spot for Sunday.

“It’s a long race, but we’ve had success here in the past and, hopefully, we’ll be a contender on Sunday.”

Defending race winner Jimmie Johnson won the Bud Pole at with a track record time and speed of 28.869, 187.052.

The race starts at 5:30 p.m. (EST) Sunday and will be broadcast live on FOX and PRN.