Labonte Qualifies 18th for Chevy Rock and Roll 400

RICHMOND, Va., Friday, Sept. 10, 2004 – Bobby Labonte qualified 18^th during Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Bud Pole Qualifying Sept. 10 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va.

Labonte turned a lap of 21.325 seconds, 126.612 mph in the No. 18 Wellbutrin XL Chevrolet.

“It was a decent run,” Labonte said. “We’ll work on the car a little more in Happy Hour and try to improve and get ready for the race. Obviously, it’s an important race for us, so we want to leave tonight with some confidence and be ready to go tomorrow night.”

Ryan Newman won the pole with a lap of 20.979, 128.700.

Labonte will start the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 on the outside of Row 9 next to Kurt Busch. Labonte’s teammate, Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 20 The Home Depot Chevorlet, will start 15^th after posting a lap of 21.315, 126.671. Mike Bliss, who is driving a third JGR car this weekend, will start 33^rd in the No. 80 Conagra/Hunt’s Ketchup Chevrolet after turning a lap of 21.474, 125.733.

The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 will start at 7 p.m. (EDT) Sept. 11 and be broadcast live on TNT and MRN.