Kobalt Tools 500 Qualifying Report No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge March 7, 2008 1.5-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway; Hampton, Ga. QUALIFYING RESULTS: 1. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet 2. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Chevrolet 3. Martin Truex, Jr., Chevrolet 4. Carl Edwards, Ford 5. Bobby Labonte, Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge 40. Kyle Petty, Paralyzed Veterans of America Dodge For the second time in this young NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Hendrick Motorsports swept the front row for an event. Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will lead the field to the green in Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500 at the Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway (AMS). Carl Edwards, winner of the last two Sprint Cup events, will start fourth. Rain once again threatened to wash out the Friday qualifying session. However, after a short delay, qualifying was able to resume. This saved NASCAR from having to start the event based on 2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup owner points for the second time in four races. Bobby Labonte and the No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team will start from the fifth position for Sunday’s event. This is the best qualifying effort for the team since Labonte started third for the 2007 “fall” race at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The team participated in a very productive Goodyear tire test at AMS during the off-season. It was clear that this extra session had the new chassis “dialed in,” as it was fast right off the truck. Labonte has six wins at AMS, the most by an active driver. Crew chief Jeff Meendering has the team poised to give Labonte a chance to make it seven. “No matter what car you’re in, this is still Atlanta,” said Labonte. “You still have to drive this place the same way. I love racing here. I always have. Starting fifth is a great shot in the arm for this team. But the most encouraging part is that we worked on our race setup for most of the day because we really thought qualifying would be rained out. Jeff and the guys brought a fast car and we’re looking forward to Sunday.” Sunday’s race will be televised live on FOX and broadcast live on PRN Radio. The race coverage is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. (EST).