Bobby Labonte - Martinsville Preview

Bobby Labonte is the only driver to win in all three series at Martinsville Speedway--

Quotes from Bobby Labonte:

“The Easter break is always refreshing because the start of the season is pretty hectic. You have the biggest race of the season followed by, what turned out to be, a long west coast trip because of the rain we had in Fontana. So it’s nice to relax and spend a lot of time with family. It’s really important to the guys too. They need to take every opportunity to keep themselves fresh because this is a long season.”

“I’m excited to get to Martinsville this weekend because I’ve liked that place since the first time I got on the track. That’s just the way some racetracks are. It’s not one thing about them that you can really put your finger on. You just have a good feel for them right out of the box. One of the real highlights of my career would have to be winning a race in all three series at Martinsville. That has to rank right up there with my championship and my Brickyard trophy.”

“I like the fact that we go to Bristol and Martinsville back-to-back. Short track racing takes a little different mindset. You know it’s going to be rough. You know that there is a chance you are going to get involved in something you had nothing to do with. So to be able to zone in on that for, really, three weeks is great. It’s the same for crew chiefs too. I know Jeff (Meendering) has some stuff in the back of his mind that he might have picked up last weekend at Bristol that can help us.”

Bobby Labonte at Martinsville Speedway

* Labonte is the only driver to win in all three NASCAR series at Martinsville Speedway (Truck – 2005, Nationwide – 1992, Sprint Cup – 2002).

* Labonte has scored six top-5s at Martinsville; all six have been in his last 13 visits to the track. His most recent top-5 came in 2006 when he finished third.

* Labonte has raced at Martinsville Speedway 30 times; he won there in 2002 and has amassed six top-5 and thirteen top-10 finishes at the track.

* The driver has also started the race within the top-10 on eight occasions. He won the pole at the track in 1995.

* Of a possible 14,862 laps at Martinsville, Labonte has completed 13,961 (93.9%) including 316 laps led. His average start at the track is 17.9 and average finish is 16.2.