Labonte survives for 23rd-place finish at New Hampshire

FINAL RESULTS:
1. Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
2. Carl Edwards, Ford
3. Greg Biffle, Ford
4. Mark Martin, Ford
5. Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet
23. Bobby Labonte, #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge
28. Kyle Petty, #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge

OVERVIEW:

It was another hot and humid day at the one-mile New Hampshire International Speedway, located in the city Loudon, for the running of Sunday’s Lenox Industrial Tools 300. The heat made it tough for drivers and teams to keep cool. The action on the track was equally as intense, especially in the early running of the race. Leader Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, a lap down after pitting, were racing hard just before lap 100 of the 300 lap race. They tangled and both cars headed into the wall. Stewart, a past winner at New Hampshire, finished a disappointed 37th. That left the race for the taking. The middle stages of the race, filled with cautions and hard racing, set the stage for a fuel mileage ending. Kyle Busch was the fastest car, but fuel was a concern for everyone. A late caution forced NASCAR “overtime” that put every crew chief on the edge of their seat. Busch, however, had enough fuel to make it to the line and win his third career victory.

Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge had an up-and-down day at the New Hampshire International Speedway. Labonte, who started 27th, was working his way through the field when he was hit in the side by another car. The damage left fenders bent in and some positions lost, but the Cheerios Dodge was still running strong. Labonte and the team bounced back and continued the fight for track position. Labonte went a lap down, but received the “lucky dog” shortly after. Labonte did a simple spin on a restart in the middle stages of the race, but didn’t lose a lap. The team then made its biggest run of the day. Labonte raced into the top-15 and it looked as though that’s where he might finish. However, the extra distance and tremendous heat of the day put a strain on the horsepower. Labonte’s car lost some power in the final laps. Labonte still finished 23rd and maintained his 25th place in points.

“We were in a good position at the end,” said Labonte. “I’m not sure what happened, but the car didn’t go on the last restart. It might be something under the hood. The guys worked hard to get us in a good spot. We battled back today from some things and that’s good. We just wanted a better result. We raced better than where we finished.”

Petty and the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge team had a good car Sunday, but couldn’t find the luck you sometimes need. Petty started Sunday’s race 41st, but had a strong car. Track position at New Hampshire is critical. It’s known as one of the hardest tracks to pass on. That made the move to the front slow for Petty. He was eventually put a lap down by a fast Tony Stewart early in the race. Petty, however, was still fast. He picked off positions all day, but each time the caution flag flew was just one or two spots away from receiving the “lucky dog” and getting back the lead lap. Petty did the best possible. He finished 28th- the highest car not on the lead lap. Petty remained 31st in points.

The Nextel Cup Series now heads to the 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway for Sunday’s Pennsylvania 500.