Mechanical Problems Force Labonte to Use Provisional

INDIANAPOLIS, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004 - Bobby Labonte suffered a mechanical problem on his warm-up lap during Bud Pole Qualifying Aug. 7 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and will line up 39^th in the Brickyard 400 on Sunday.

Casey Mears won the Bud Pole with a Brickyard 400 track record time and speed of 48.311 seconds, 186.293 mph.

Due to his problem on the warm-up lap, Labonte was forced to use a provisional starting spot. 

As Labonte exited Turn 4 on his warm-up lap, smoke appeared at the rear of the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet. He was able to get onto pit road and return to the garage area.

We had no warning, or anything, Labonte said. It just sort of went. Well change the engine. We were hoping to start up front, but now were in the back. I guess now well try to pass as many cars as we can. Thats our strategy now.

Because of the engine change, Labonte will line up in 39^th, but then drop to the rear of the field on the pace lap, due to NASCARs one-engine rule which requires a team to start from the rear of the field if an engine is changed during a race weekend.

Labonte has won from a provisional spot before, in the fall 2000 race at Darlington, S.C.

The 11^th Brickyard 400 starts at 2:30 p.m. (EDT) Aug. 8 and will be broadcast live on NBC and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network.