Labonte Overcomes Loose Car for Strong Finish at Michigan

Cub Cadet Ford Ends 15th

 

Date:                August 19, 2006

Event:               CARFAX 250

Location:           Michigan International Speedway

Start:                18th

Finish:              15th

Brooklyn, MI (August 21, 2006) – Bobby Labonte made his second start of the season in Brewco Motorsports’ Cub Cadet Ford Fusion this weekend at Michigan International Speedway.  The NEXTEL Cup regular struggled with the handling of the Cub Cadet Ford during practice and most of the race but held on to finish 15th. 

Labonte reported the Cub Cadet Ford was “really, really loose” during practice.  The Cub Cadet crew worked hard and toward the end of practice felt they had found a solid race setup.  Labonte qualified 18th and after a short rain delay was set to begin the CARFAX 250.

Labonte was up to 15th by lap two but quickly told his crew the Cub Cadet Ford was “super tight.”  Labonte and crew chief Newt Moore talked about what changes to make on the first pit stop.  They decided to stay out when the first caution fell and made their first stop under yellow on lap 21.  With four fresh tires, an air pressure and wedge adjustment Labonte was back on the track in 26th.  He quickly radioed the crew to report the car had become “loose, loose.”

By lap 34, Labonte said the car was “just loose, I’m never turning the wheel to the left.”  The Cub Cadet Ford was 20th when green flag pit stops began.  Labonte came down pit road on lap 78 for track bar and air pressure adjustments and four fresh tires.  The field cycled through and the Cub Cadet Ford was seen one lap down in 26th place. 

Labonte was still “crazy loose” as the race neared the end.  The crew got two more chances to improve the handling of the car; pitting for air pressure and wedge adjustments and four tires on lap 101 and four tires and no adjustments on lap 118.  The Cub Cadet Ford restarted 21st after the final pit stop on 119 and Labonte picked up six spots in the final six laps to finish 15th. 

“That wasn’t the day we were hoping for,” said Labonte.  “The Cub Cadet Ford was so loose I could hardly hang on today.  These Brewco Motorsports guys worked really hard during practice and we made some gains there but we never seemed to find the right setup during the race.  I had fun, though.  I enjoyed these two races in the Cub Cadet Ford and hopefully we can work together again sometime in the future.”