Labonte to start final race of 2006 in 30th

QUALIFYING RESULTS:
1. Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 30.293 seconds, 178.259 miles per hour
2. Scott Riggs, Dodge, 30.300 seconds, 178.218 miles per hour
3. Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 30.317 seconds, 178.118 miles per hour
4. Elliott Sadler, Dodge, 30.327 seconds, 178.059 miles per hour
5. Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 30.340 seconds, 177.983 miles per hour
30. Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 30.760 seconds, 175.553 miles per hour
38. Kyle Petty, Dodge, 30.864 seconds, 174.961 miles per hour

HOMESTEAD, FL (November 17, 2006) - The 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway is the sight for the last race of the 2006 Nextel Cup season. There are some teams that have hopes of a championship run on Sunday while others are thinking only about closing the season with a win. In any case, there were 56 drivers that attempted qualifying runs on Friday. Qualifying was held under overcast skies, but the rain stayed away. Kasey Kahne won the pole followed by Evernham Motorsports teammate, Scott Riggs, on the outside pole. Championship points leader Jimmie Johnson qualified 15th and Matt Kenseth, the driver chasing Johnson, qualified 17th.

The #43 Chex Most Popular Driver Dodge team have been close to victory lane during the final races of the season. Labonte is also a former winner at Homestead as he has his mind set on victory lane for Sunday. The team worked on the car during Friday’s practice session. The team is looking for that perfect setup to navigate Homestead-Miami Speedway’s variable banking. Labonte qualified 30th for Sunday’s race.

“The car just didn’t roll through the corner like we wanted,” said Labonte. “We will just keep working on it. The Chex Most Popular Driver Dodge is a pretty cool looking car. We want to have it running well on Sunday. Up front would be nice, and we’re working to get it there.”

Kyle Petty and the Marathon/Schwan’s/Wells Fargo/Tire Kingdom Dodge team had a goof practice session, but drew a terrible draw for qualifying. Petty was the fifth car to qualify. Petty ended the session 38th, but his car is good. Petty was 22nd in practice after spending most of the session near the top of the board. The poor qualifying draw hurt the team.

“It didn’t help us,” said Petty. “I messed up a little in Turn Two, but the car is still pretty good. It pushed a little, but that was my mistake. The first lap is really all you have to get a good lap. You don’t see guys go faster on the second lap.”

Sunday’s race will be televised live nationally on NBC and broadcast on MRN Radio. Race coverage begins at 2:00pm (EST).