Race Report - Nextel All-Star Challenge

Go-GURT Dodge
NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge
May 20, 2006; Concord, N.C.
1.5-mile, Lowe’s Motor Speedway

FINAL RESULTS:
1. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet
2. Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet
3. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
4. Carl Edwards, Ford
5. Ryan Newman, Dodge
6. Bobby Labonte, #43 Go-GURT Dodge
8. Kyle Petty, #45 MyCokeRewards Dodge

OVERVIEW:

It was a winning night for Petty Enterprises, on and off the track, during the running of the annual NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge at the 1.5-mile Lowe’s Motor Speedway. At the end of the night, Petty Enterprises finished with two top-10 finishes and over $300,000 donated to the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

The all-star evening kicked off with a rain-delayed start to the Nextel Open. Petty and the #45 MyCokeRewards Dodge were entered in the event. Petty started 20th and took his time to figure out the track and tire combination after the rain. Petty and the team made adjustments during a break after the first 10 laps. The remaining 20 laps Petty learned more about the car and finished 22nd. Immediately after the race Petty was informed that the “Vote Kyle Petty” campaign was a complete success. Petty and the team were headed to the Nextel All-Star Challenge.

Petty joined teammate Bobby Labonte and the #43 Go-GURT Dodge team in the event. Labonte, a past champion, had an 11th starting spot for the event. The Challenge is a 90-lap race divided into three segments of 40, 30 and 20 laps. Labonte was fast on short runs, but his Go-GURT-schemed Dodge became tight on longer runs. Labonte, however, is a smart, veteran racer. His years of all-star experience helped him avoid the night’s four accidents. The result was a sixth place finish for Labonte. It is Labonte’s sixth top-10 finish in this event in his career.

“We did a good job with what we had,” said Labonte. “We were just tight on some of the longer runs. It’s still a good night for this Go-GURT Dodge. We were able to get it up front a little bit. We wanted to get a little higher, but the car just got tight. It’s still a good run. We’ll take this and come back here next weekend for the Coca-Cola 600.”

Petty also had a strong run in the All-Star Challenge. Petty started 20th, but the team only had one way to go. Petty’s MyCokeRewards Dodge was handling well and the car was to the liking of Petty. Petty moved up as he stayed patient and cars crashed. Petty’s Dodge was also faster on longer runs. He made passed on Dale Earnhardt Jr. and moved in on Dale Jarrett in the final 20 lap segment. Petty finished a strong 8th.

The finish is beneficial for Petty in many ways. Petty, after winning the Nextel fan vote, was given $275,000 by Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, Schwan’s and Tire Kingdom to donate to the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Petty then donated his winnings from the Nextel Open and All-Star Challenge to the camp. The grand total was $398,967 donated to the camp.

“What a tremendous company and tremendous opportunity Coca-Cola gave us tonight,” said Petty. “It’s a tremendous opportunity the fans gave me personally. They are the ones that raised this money. They are the ones that voted. It was a great race for Petty Enterprises. I hope the fans got what they wanted because Coca-Cola and all our partners gave the kids what they wanted.”

The Nextel Cup Series stays at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway for next Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600.