Dover Race Report

No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge
September 21, 2008
1-mile Dover (Del.) International Speedway

RACE RESULTS:
1. Greg Biffle, Ford
2. Matt Kenseth, Ford
3. Carl Edwards, Ford
4. Mark Martin, Chevrolet
5. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet
14. Bobby Labonte, No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge
40. Kyle Petty, No. 45 Wells Fargo Dodge

Despite going winless during the 26-race NASCAR Sprint Cup ‘regular season,’ Greg Biffle has thrown the gauntlet down when it matters the most. Biffle picked up his second consecutive victory in the “Chase for the Sprint Cup” in Sunday’s Camping World RV 400 at the Dover International Speedway. Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards made it a 1-2-3 finish for Roush Fenway Racing.

Biffle’s win moves him into a tie for second place in the standings with Johnson. The two are 10 points behind the leader, Edwards. Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick, who moved up five spots on Sunday, round out the top-five.

Bobby Labonte and the No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team finished 14th on Sunday.

The finish is the second consecutive top-15 finish for the team as they looked determined to end the season on a strong note. Labonte began the race from the 42nd position, but he began to lay down some fast lap times early by moving to the top groove of the one-mile oval. When a caution flag flew on lap 64, Labonte found himself in the 29th position. From there the handling began to go away on the No. 43 Dodge and Labonte lost a lap to the leaders. He was able to gain that back, via a ‘Lucky Dog’ award on lap 156. Thanks to great work by the No. 43 pit crew, Labonte was able to drive inside the top-20 by lap 185. A long green flag run saw Labonte lose another lap to the leaders, but some great adjustments by crew chief Jeff Meendering allowed him to remain the first car one lap down and in position for another ‘Lucky Dog’ award. This came on lap 291. >From that point on, Labonte had one of the fastest cars on the track. He had two of his best runs of the day inside the final 100 laps, when it mattered most. In typical fashion, Labonte has the second-most green flag passes with 62.

“We just couldn’t seem to get our Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge to turn good in the center of the corners – especially the grip in the back of the car. I fought it all day. Fortunately, we had a couple Lucky Dogs that put us on the lead lap again and we were able to get the car good enough to bring home a top-15 finish. I’m proud of my guys. Jeff (Meendering, crew chief) did a good job on top of the pit box all day trying to get our car better and better. We’re not satisfied with 14th, but it could have been a lot worse.”

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will head to the Kansas Speedway for this weekend’s Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman. Friday’s qualifying session will be telecast on ESPN2. It will be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius Channel 128.