Bobby Labonte, No. 96 DLP Team Finish 26th at Auto Club Speedway

Bobby Labonte started Sunday's Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway from the 35th position. For most of the 250-lap event, he reported that his No. 96 DLP Ford was "tight in the center and loose off". The No. 96 DLP team worked throughout the race to improve the handling of the No. 96 Ford, making a multitude of adjustments – unfortunately, nothing seemed to work. Despite battling an ill-handling race car, Labonte held his own, avoided several late-race accidents and finished the race in 26th position.Pole winner, Denny Hamlin led the field to the green flag. Labonte settled in to 35th position, where he ran throughout the first run as his No. 96 DLP Ford was "tight in the center and loose off."

A green flag pit stop on lap 35 permitted the No. 96 crew to make a chassis adjustment to Labonte's Ford in hopes of easing the handling woes reported by the driver. After the field cycled through, Labonte was scored in 31st place.

Though the adjustments helped the No. 96 Ford, more adjustments would still be needed. So, in attempts to remedy the handling issues: air pressure, track bar and wedge adjustments were made to the No. 96; a spring rubber was inserted and shims were added to the bump stops during scheduled pit stops throughout the 500-mile race.

Despite the team's best efforts, Labonte was not able to make up any ground on the track and when the checkers waved, he crossed the finish line in 26th place.

"The guys worked really hard today," said Labonte. "We just weren't able to keep up with track and the car just lacked grip overall. Hopefully we can have a better run next weekend back home at Charlotte."

Jimmie Johnson dominated the Pepsi 500 and held off teammate Jeff Gordon for the win. Juan Pablo Montoya was third, his fourth consecutive top-five finish. Mark Martin, who started the day with an 18-point lead over Johnson, was fourth and now trails Johnson by 12 points heading into Saturday night's race at Charlotte. Tony Stewart rallied from an early pit-road speeding penalty to finish fifth.