Labonte 34th in Daytona Qualifying

QUALIFYING RESULTS:

1. Boris Said, Ford, 48.350 seconds, 186.143 miles per hour
2. Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 48.478 seconds, 185.651 miles per hour
3. David Stremme, Dodge, 48.497 seconds, 185.579 miles per hour
4. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 48.516 seconds, 185.506 miles per hour
5. Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 48.527 seconds, 185.464 miles per hour
33. Kyle Petty, Dodge, 49.062 seconds, 183.441 miles per hour
34. Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 49.084 seconds, 183.359 miles per hour

A July 4th weekend tradition, the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series is at the 2.5-mile Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for Saturday night’s Daytona 400.  Saturday night’s 400-miler will be held ‘under the lights’ on the Daytona high banks.  Teams will be once again using restrictor plates to reduce speeds.  The ‘plates’, however, are a great equalizer.  The field races inches apart at speeds over 180 miles per hour.  Qualifying was held Friday afternoon with surprise pole winner Boris Said posting the fastest time.  Said is known as an American road racing specialist, but he proved to be the best at Daytona’s fast oval on Friday.  Tony Stewart qualified second.    

Petty and the #45 Tire Kingdom Dodge team qualified 33rd for Saturday night’s race. Petty was strong in Thursday’s practice sessions.  The practice sessions were in race conditions as cars ‘drafted’ with each other.  Petty and the team are looking forward to Saturday night’s race.

“It really doesn’t matter a bunch where you start here,” said Petty.  “We want to draft well.  That’s important.  That’s what this race is all about. We were good in February and think we have a descent car for Saturday night.”

Labonte and the #43 Pillsbury/Cinnabon Dodge team are hoping for a good run on Saturday. Labonte and the team were strong in February and the team feels they have another good car for Saturday night.  Labonte didn’t qualify where he wanted, but is hopeful for Saturday night.

“The car drives well,” said Labonte.  “We’re looking for a little more, but a lot happens at Daytona.  We want to be around at the end and make our move.”

Saturday night’s race will be televised live nationally on FOX and broadcast on MRN Radio.  Race coverage begins at 7:30pm (EST).