Labonte brings home a 3rd-place finish at Martinsville

FINAL RESULTS:
1. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet
2. Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet
3. Bobby Labonte, #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge
4. Tony Stewart, Chevrolet
5. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
10. Kyle Petty #45 Tire Kingdom Dodge

OVERVIEW:

MARTINSVILLE, VA (October 22, 2006) - Petty Enterprises had a milestone day at the .526-mile Martinsville (Va.) Speedway Sunday during the running of the Subway 500. Bobby Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team and Kyle Petty and the #45 Wells Fargo Dodge team both captured top 10 finishes. The finishes mark the first time since 1999 that both Petty Enterprises cars have finished in the top 10. It continues to solidify the fact the organization has laid a competitive foundation in 2006.

Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team used a caution to take full advantage of track position in Sunday’s race. Labonte was able to take the lead after Jamie McMurray spun around on lap 401. The team had struggled with track position all afternoon and early in the race fell a lap down. A series of cautions, Labonte was awarded his lap back and started to work his way to the front. Passing at a premium, Labonte and the team were looking for a break. The break came when McMurray spun and the team was able to stay on the track with enough fuel to complete the race. Labonte then did the rest and finished third. The team led 43 laps in Sundays race; the third most of any competitor. Labonte is now 20th in championship point standings.

“We didn’t have the fastest car, but we kept working on it and got it better,” said Labonte. “We were fortunate that we were able to get some track position and able to run good at that time. Paul (Andrews) did a good job in the pits and getting the car better. We got it better when it counted. Track position was the biggest thing. We have been making the most out of the races and that’s been the key. It’s giving us a lot of momentum and confidence. I’ve got a lot of confidence in my Cheerios team right now.”

Petty and the #45 Wells Fargo Dodge team started the afternoon in the 14th position. An early race spin didn’t deter the team from one of its best finishes and strongest runs of the season. Petty was fast from the drop of the green. His Wells Fargo Dodge had everything it needed to be fast. Petty was attempting to move inside the 10 when he spun on lap five in Turn Four. The car wasn’t damaged, but the team did have to restart in the back of the pack. Petty was 33rd on lap 25, but easily picked off cars on what was one of the hardest races to pass in all season. Crew Chief Billy Wilburn setup a car that was perfect for Sunday. The car was fast and Petty was in seventh by lap 275. The team raced in the top 12 in the last 150 laps of the race. Petty ended the day with his second top 10 finish of the season.

“We had a really good car today,” said Petty. “I spun early, but passed a bunch of cars to get back in the top 10. We had great calls in the pits and had some great pit stops too. Billy (Wilburn) and the crew did an awesome job. Everything went well for us. We just had a great day for all of Petty Enterprises.”

Sunday’s race was won by Jimmie Johnson after taking the lead late from Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge. Labonte and the team fell into track position and were able to stay out after the rest of the field had to pit for fuel in the last 100 laps. The result was Labonte taking the lead on lap 402 of the 500-lap race. Labonte and the Cheerios team paced the field from lap 402 to 444. Labonte pulled out to a seven car-length lead during the early stretch, but a fast-closing Jimmie Johnson passed Labonte on lap 444. Labonte stayed in the second position until Denny Hamlin got by in the final 20 laps. That was all the ground the team gave up. Labonte closed back in on the leaders in the last 10 laps and the trio ran nose-to-tail. Labonte finished third with Johnson taking the win. Hamlin was second. Matt Kenseth took over the championship chase lead after Sunday’s race.

The Nextel Cup Series now heads to the 1.5-mile Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway for Sunday’s Bass Pro Shops 500.