Sprint All-Star Race Qualifying Report

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge
May 16, 2008
1.5-mile Lowe’s (N.C.) Motor Speedway

QUALIFYING RESULTS:
1. Kyle Busch, Toyota
2. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
3. Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet
4. Kurt Busch, Dodge
5. Martin Truex, Jr., Chevrolet
11. Bobby Labonte, No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge

Kyle Busch continues his white hot streak by taking the pole position for Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Four-time all-star race winner Jeff Gordon will start alongside in his attempt to become the only driver to get to win number five.

The Sprint All-Star Race began in 1985 and Lowe’s Motor Speedway has been the home of every event, except the 1986 version that was held at the Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway. It has become one of the most popular races on the schedule because it routinely provides a breathtaking moment. The race is open to any Sprint Cup winner in between the previous all-star race and this one, any past Sprint Cup point’s champion of the last ten years and one driver from an online fan vote.

Bobby Labonte and the No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge qualified 11th for the all-star race. Labonte, in his 14th all-star race, is in the field by virtue of his 2000 Sprint Cup title. Qualifying for the event consists of two green-flag laps, with a mandatory four-tire pit stop in between. The “Helping Hands” pit crew knocked off a sub 13 second stop to get Labonte off pit road as quick as any competitor.

“We weren’t very good when we unloaded, but the guys really worked hard and the car is pretty sporty now,” sounded Labonte. “We’re here to take home the money. That’s what this race is all about. We also want to learn as much as we can for the Coca-Cola 600, but that $1 million dollars would be nice.”

“Our guys did a good job tonight.  It was a good solid run for us. I’m really proud of everybody tonight.  In a race, you make 8-10 pit stops and there are other cars on pit road.  In the course of a race, you can make a slight mistake on pit road and have time to recover.  Everything has to be right in this qualifying to be on top of the board.”

Saturday night’s race will be televised live on the Speed Channel and broadcast live on MRN Radio and Sirius NASCAR Channel 128. The race is schedule to start at 9:00 pm EST.