Bobby Labonte - 2007 News


Kansas Qualifying Report

QUALIFYING RESULTS:
1. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 30.846 seconds, 175.063 miles per hour
2. *Ryan Newman, Dodge, 30.876 seconds, 174.893 miles per hour
3. Matt Kenseth, Ford, 30.984 seconds, 174.284 miles per hour
4. Scott Riggs, Dodge, 31.041 seconds, 173.963 miles per hour
5. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 31.089 seconds, 173.695 miles per hour
33. Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 31.526 seconds, 171.287 miles per hour
34. Kyle Petty, Dodge, 31.557 seconds, 171.119 miles per hour

* Time Not Allowed After Failing Post Qualifying Inspection. Roof Was Found To Be Too Low.

 

Bobby Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team qualified 33rd for Sunday’s LifeLock 400 at the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway. Labonte was 23rd fastest in the day’s only practice session. The team qualified relatively early when all the teams were running slower times.

“We couldn’t find any grip,” said Labonte. “The car wasn’t tight or loose. It was pretty hot out there and slick. It’s going to be a challenge to work our way to the front, but it can be done too.”

Jimmie Johnson won his 12th pole of his career Friday. Johnson will lead 42 other Nextel Cup cars to the green for Sunday’s LifeLock 400. It is Johnson’s third pole of the season.

The 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup is quickly coming to a close. Eight races remain including Sunday’s event at the mile-and-a-half event in Kansas. Teams will close the season at a total of four more tracks similar to Kansas Speedway. The teams that perform well on Sunday might have an upper hand in the closing races. Johnson is hoping his pole is of positive signs to come. Ryan Newman has always been fast at the mile-and-a-half ovals, but Friday his time was disallowed after his roof was found to be too low. Newman will have to forfeit his qualifying position. Driver’s not making Sunday’s race included AJ Allmendinger, Ward Burton, Brian Vickers and Jon Wood.

Kyle Petty and the #45 Wells Fargo Dodge team qualified 34th for Sunday’s race. Petty and the team will start right next to Labonte on Sunday. Petty was 40th in the practice session. The team is looking to find a better balance on Saturday.

“Yea, we have two more practice sessions,” said Petty. “Billy and the guys are right there. We’re getting better with it. Hopefully we’ll learn a lot more on Saturday for Sunday’s race.”

Friday’s qualifying session was televised live nationally by ESPN2 and broadcast on MRN Radio. Sunday’s race will be televised live on ABC and broadcast live on MRN Radio. The race is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. (ET).

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