LABONTE FINISHES DAYTONA 500 22nd AFTER RAIN

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. (February 15, 2009) – Bobby Labonte finished the 51st Annual Daytona 500 22nd after wrestling the No. 96 Ask.com Ford Fusion for 152 laps. Rain showers in the area shortened the remaining 48 laps of the famed event.

Labonte began the race 12th. When the green flag dropped, the No. 96 immediately gained positions and when the first caution – an early-race accident – allowed the cars to pit, Labonte remained on the track and restarted the race third at lap 11, posting lap times within sight of the race leaders.

The tight style of door-to-door, bumper-to-bumper racing gave the sold-out crowd of more than 189,000 a show. At lap 20 Labonte reported the car to be getting tight in the corners, but loose when racing among other competitors. That forced the veteran driver to travel on the outside line.

A NASCAR scheduled competition pit stop at lap 25 allowed the Ask.com team to pit for four tires and fuel. A wedge adjustment was added to free the car in the corners. The crew’s timely pit stop allowed the Hall of Fame entry to restart the race 15th. Green-flag laps were short lived and a third caution of the night fell at lap 54, allowing the Ask.com team to pit once again for four tires, fuel and another wedge adjustment. Labonte reported the car to be worse off with the wedge adjustment so the No. 96 team removed the added wedge at the next pit stop.

The adjustments made to the No. 96 Ford Fusion were not working as crew chief Todd Parrott had hoped. When the fourth caution flew at lap 80, the Ask.com team made a track-bar adjustment, left-side air pressure change and got four fresh tires and fuel. The field was awarded the green flag at lap 85 and Labonte looked to gain on the field from the 27th position.

At the half-way point of the famed event, Labonte reported that the No. 96 Ask.com Ford Fusion was erratic and a handful to hold on to. The Hall of Fame Racing entry appeared to still be loose on entry and tight in the center. Hopes were still high for the Ask.com team and when another caution flew at lap 118. Parrott choose to keep Labonte on the track and lead a lap of the race, a strategy decision that awarded the team with five points. Labonte led lap 121 but pitted for four tires and fuel at lap 122.

The most crippling wreck of the day occurred at lap 124 eliminating leader, Kyle Busch from the event. Other teams involved in the incident were the Nos. 83, 88, 99, 48 and 26. During the scramble to avoid the accident, Labonte connected with a competitor hard enough to force the No. 96 back down pit road for tires.

The green flag at lap 132 brought rain sprinkles and much promised showers began to move into the area. A steady rain set in by lap 151 and NASCAR called the cars to pit road for a red flag. After careful consideration, NASCAR officials cancelled the remaining 48 laps and the No. 96 Ask.com team piloted by 2000 Champion Labonte finished 22nd in the Daytona 500.

"This No. 96 Ask.com Ford was tough to handle," said Labonte. "It was really good for the first 10 laps or so and then it tightened up in the corners but was loose in a draft. We have some work to do at home before Fontana but I know these guys will get us where we need to be for next week. I was glad we stayed out of most of the danger. With guys losing whole cars out there, we were happy to walk away with a car that has minimal damage that we now know a lot about. It’s a learning experience for everyone on the Ask.com team and we can only get better from here."

Matt Kenseth and the No. 17 Dewalt Ford Fusion took the checkered flag for the Daytona 500. Labonte and the No. 96 Ask.com team will again race the Hall of Fame entry at Auto Club Speedway for the Auto Club 500 Sunday. FOX television and MRN radio affiliates will carry the live NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Fontana, Calif. beginning a 6:00pm (EST).