Bobby Labonte - Daytona 500 Race Report No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge February 17, 2008 Daytona International Speedway; Daytona Beach, Fla. Bobby Labonte and the No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team finished the 50th running of the Daytona 500 in the 11th position. After starting the race 13th, Labonte spent the early portions of the race searching for the line that suited his Dodge Charger. Caution periods were scarce during the first half of the race, meaning crew chief Jeff Meendering had to make adjustments during green flag pit stops. Small chassis adjustments, along with a couple of strategic two tire stops, had Labonte moving up on the scoring charts by the halfway point of the event. As the race progressed into the latter stages, it became filled with the waving of caution flags. The No. 43 pit crew, which had been knocking off fast pit stops all day, kept Labonte up front at the end. Labonte will head to next week’s event at the California Speedway in 11th place in NASCAR Sprint Cup points. “What a great way to start the season for this Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team and for the Petty Enterprises organization,” said Labonte. “It was a long winter for all of us, with the move to Mooresville (N.C.). To come out of the box and have some success was our No. 1 priority. This gives us some momentum to start the season. We need to build on this when we get to places like California and Las Vegas.” Ryan Newman used a big push from teammate Kurt Busch to score the victory the Daytona 500. The win gives legendary car owner Roger Penske his first win in The Great American Race. Busch finished second to give Dodge a 1-2 finish and a strong start to the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season as they took six of the top eight positions at the finish.