Labonte Qualifies 11th for Tropicana 400
JOLIET, Ill., Friday, July 9, 2004 Bobby Labonte qualified 11th for the Tropicana 400 during Bud Pole Qualifying July 9 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill.
Labonte turned a lap of 29.157 seconds, 185.204 mph in the No. 18 Wellbutrin XL (bupropion HCl) Chevrolet.
Labontes teammate, Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet, turned an identical lap of 29.157, 185.204, but was granted the 10th starting position due to his higher position in the NEXTEL Cup point standings. Labonte is sixth, while Stewart is fifth.
The guys on the Wellbutrin XL Monte Carlo did something to it because it picked up a little bit more speed than I expected it to, Labonte said. I gained a lot of speed through (Turns) 1 and 2 this time, compared to practice, and probably evened out a little bit in 3 and 4. Were happy with the run and were looking forward to a good race on Sunday.
Four-time NEXTEL Cup Champion Jeff Gordon won his fourth consecutive Bud Pole with a track-record time and speed of 28.886, 186.942 mph.
The Tropicana 400 starts at 3:30 p.m. (EDT) July 9 and will be broadcast live on NBC and MRN.
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