Bobby Labonte Talladega Preview #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron’s 499 Talladega Superspeedway April 27, 2008 Quotes from Bobby Labonte: “You know, I’m sure everyone enjoyed their off week. The guys got to spend time with their families. That’s exactly what I did. But, at the same time, we had a decent run at Phoenix with the Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge. There is a part of you that wants to be at the racetrack the very next day when you put together a strong team effort like that. You want to be able to grab a little momentum wherever you can. It’s those races where we all work as one that can build momentum and confidence. ” “We’re only 81 points out of the top-12. That can be made up in just one race. It’s more realistic to give yourself a couple of races to try to make that up. But we’re going to Talladega. Anything can happen. Talladega is one of the great equalizing tracks. There are many different strategies that you can use there. I’ve always tried to start up front and stay there. We had a good car in the Daytona 500 so I think we should be able to do that.” “This will be our third restrictor-plate race with the new car. We’re much further ahead with it now than when we debuted it in the ‘Fall’ race at Talladega last year. In that race we saw the entire field in a single line. But in the Daytona 500 there was lots of passing. It was one of the most exciting races of the year so far. Daytona is more of a ‘handling’ track too. So if we were able to pass there, then the fans should be in for another exciting Talladega race.” Bobby Labonte at Talladega Superspeedway * Labonte has scored one Sprint Cup Series win at Talladega, which came in 1998. In his 30 visits to the track he has scored six top-5s and has finished within the top-10 on 11 occasions. His most recent top-10 at the track came in 2006. * Labonte won the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Talladega in 2007. * The driver has scored one pole at Talladega and has started within the top-10 on 11 occasions. He qualified eighth for last year’s ‘Fall’ race. * Of a possible 5,593 laps at Talladega Superspeedway, Labonte has completed 5,286 (94.5%) including 153 laps led. His average start at the track is 18.9 and average finish is 17.2. * After Labonte’s 12th-place finish at Phoenix he moved up in the points standings and is now tied with David Ragan and Brian Vickers for 18th. * The first Talladega win for Richard Petty and the #43 came in 1974. Bobby Labonte, on Danica Patrick's win and whether there will be more focus on IndyCar's event at Kansas this weekend: “I don’t know if you’re asking that question three of four years ago? But, it’s certainly true that you’re going to see some focus at Kansas Speedway this weekend. Obviously Danica has made headlines and the Indianapolis 500 is right around the corner. They have some momentum right now. “But, you’re never going to lose seats at Talladega for a Sprint Cup race. If Dale Earnhardt Jr. is there, and we’re putting 43 cars side-by-side, it’s a tough product to beat. The fans at Talladega help define what passion is for NASCAR.”