Labonte 15th in Phoenix Qualifying

QUALIFYING RESULTS:
1. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 26.773 seconds, 134.464 miles per hour
2. Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 26.871 seconds, 133.973 miles per hour
3. Brian Vickers, Chevrolet, 26.876 seconds, 133.949 miles per hour
4. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Chevrolet, 26.932 seconds, 133.670 miles per hour
5. Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 26.942 seconds, 133.620 miles per hour
15. Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 27.079 seconds, 132.944 miles per hour
34. Kyle Petty, Dodge, 27.398 seconds, 131.396 miles per hour

AVONDALE, AZ (November 11, 2006) - Today’s qualifying session for the Checker Auto Parts 500 at the Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) was one of predictability. Everyone knew that, due to the heat, a late draw would be the ticket to the pole award. Pole sitter Jeff Gordon certainly had that as he went out 37th. For Petty Enterprises, however, the qualifying session ended the same as the morning practice runs by both the No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker and the No. 45 Wells Fargo Dodges. Both Bobby Labonte and Kyle Petty practiced and qualified in the 15th and 34th positions, respectively.

Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team continue their superb finish to the 2006 season. He has had a fair amount of success at PIR as well. Labonte toured the one-mile oval in 27.240 sec., or 132.159 mph, to slot in 15th in the practice session. At the time when he qualified Labonte was the fourth fastest of the 22 cars that had attempted qualifying. As the sun crept low, the speeds increased and Labonte ended up in that same 15th position.

“I am really excited about the car we have for the race,” said Labonte. “We really hammered the race runs hard during the first part of practice. Paul and the guys really got the Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge to rotate in the middle of the corner. Phoenix has been a good track for me in the past and I look forward to Sunday.”

Kyle Petty and the Wells Fargo Dodge turned in a lap of 27.472 sec., or 131.258 mph, to wind up 34th in the morning practice session. This marked the first week in several months that Petty would not have to race his way into the show as he is in the top-35 in owner points. This allowed Petty and crew chief Bill Wilburn to work on race runs for most of the practice session. Despite qualifying in the 34th position they know that the No. 45 will race strong.

“We were really tight in one and two on our qualifying lap,” sounded Petty. “We had a good qualifying run going at the end of practice, but everyone was trying to get one more lap in and I had to go around some cars. I think we could have learned a little more if we had a clean lap. We are in the race, though, and our Wells Fargo Dodge will be passing some cars when the green flag drops.”

Sunday’s race will be televised live nationally on NBC and broadcast on MRN Radio. Race coverage begins at 3:30pm (EST).