Labonte's lucky 13th at Texas

QUALIFYING RESULTS:
1. Brian Vickers, Chevrolet, 27.518 seconds, 196.235 miles per hour
2. Jeremy Mayfield, Dodge, 27.637 seconds, 195.390 miles per hour
3. Kurt Busch, Dodge, 27.713 seconds, 194.854 miles per hour
4. Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 27.719 seconds, 194.812 miles per hour
5. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 27.859 seconds, 193.833 miles per hour
13. Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 27.985 seconds, 192.961 miles per hour
35. Kyle Petty, Dodge, 28.293 seconds, 190.861 miles per hour

JUSTIN, TX (November 3, 2006) - Bobby Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team have been one of the hottest teams in the Nextel Cup garage over the last month. Labonte continued his success at his “home” track on Friday. Labonte was the 13th fastest driver in the afternoon practice session. At the time when he qualified Labonte was the second fastest of the 13 cars that had attempted qualifying. The Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team ended the session as they did in practice. Labonte will start 13th in Sunday’s race.

“I think we’ll have a good car for Sunday,” said Labonte. “We drew an early qualifying number and that obviously has hurt some guys. Look at the front row. I’m still pretty happy with the way the day has gone. We were able to get the speed we needed today.”

Kyle Petty and the Wells Fargo Dodge team were the 35th fastest team in the qualifying session after also qualifying earlier in the session. Petty, however, has proven that the car is strong. The Wells Fargo Dodge was the 16th fastest car in the afternoon practice session. The track was changing when Petty qualified and just missed backing up his practice time. Petty still delivered a strong lap considering the circumstances. He will start 35th.

“It’s a different track right now,” said Petty. “The car went up and didn’t have some of the grip. It’s part of the game when you have to qualify early. I have confidence in the guys and we’ll do what it takes on Sunday. We’ve had good races and that’s what counts right now.”

A later afternoon qualifying session will always benefit the cars that draw a later qualifying spot. The last two cars in Friday’s qualifying session will both start on the front row for Sunday’s Dickies 500 at the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway. Brian Vickers was the last car to qualify and the track was considerably cooler and had much more grip than earlier qualifiers. Vickers blasted a lap over 196 miles per hour. The previous car to qualify before Vickers was Jeremy Mayfield. Mayfield was second fastest. Bobby Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team were impressive. They qualified early in the session, but still put down the 13th fastest lap of the day.

Sunday’s race will be televised live nationally on NBC and broadcast on PRN Radio. Race coverage begins at 2:30pm (EST).