Labonte to start 22nd at Charlotte

QUALIFYING RESULTS:
1. Scott Riggs, Dodge, 28.203 seconds, 191.469 miles per hour
2. Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 28.392 seconds, 190.194 miles per hour
3. Kurt Busch, Dodge, 28.464 seconds, 189.713 miles per hour
4. Casey Mears, Dodge, 28.479 seconds, 189.613 miles per hour
5. Elliott Sadler, Dodge, 28.479 seconds, 189.613 miles per hour
22. Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 28.861 seconds, 187.104 miles per hour
33. Kyle Petty, Dodge, 29.009 seconds, 186.149 miles per hour

CONCORD, NC (October 12, 2006) - Bobby Labonte and the #43 Bugles Dodge team did a great job at the 1.5-mile Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Thursday. Labonte was one of the first 15 cars to qualify for Saturday night’s Bank of America 500. The track wasn’t as cool as it was later in the session but the Bugles Dodge still ripped off its fastest time of the day. Labonte’s lap of 28.861 seconds was the best of the night for the team. Labonte qualified 22nd.

“That was the best I could give it tonight,” said Labonte. “That’s the best speed we have right now. It’s a new car and we’re still working on it. We’ll see what we have as we get ready for the race.”

It was long and chilly evening, over 50 Nextel Cup drivers attempted qualifying runs. Qualifying was held ‘under the lights’ and the temperatures dropped all night. It produced tons of grip on the track and great speeds during qualifying. The large field also put pressure on teams who had to make the field on time. Kyle Petty and the #45 Tire Kingdom Dodge team was a team that was in that position, but they were one of the fastest cars all day. Petty easily qualified into the field. Petty was one of the many Dodge teams that had a good day. Scott Riggs won the pole as the top five cars were all Dodge manufactured machines.

Kyle Petty and the #45 Tire Kingdom Dodge team qualified 33rd. Petty was the fifth fastest of the cars that had to make it time. Petty was 16th fastest in the afternoon practice session. Petty did all he needed in his qualifying lap and will start his 50th race at Charlotte Saturday night.

“We had a pretty good car all day,” said Petty. “The Tire Kingdom Dodge was good when we unloaded. We wanted to be a little bit better in qualifying. We still had a descent run. We’ve been running well with this car all day.”

Teams will practice on Friday before returning for Saturday night’s race. The race will be televised live on NBC Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.