ENGINE TROUBLE SHORTENS KOBALT TOOLS 500 FOR ASK.COM TEAM

HAMPTON, GA. (March 9, 2009) – Bobby Labonte and the Ask.com team had a disappointing end to Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Engine trouble shortened the team's efforts well before the scheduled 500-mile event, which was won by veteran Kurt Busch.

Last week's top-five finish in Las Vegas gave the Ask.com team high hopes when it arrived in Hampton, Ga. Labonte began the Kobalt Tools 500 40th after trouble qualifying on Friday. The No. 96 Ask.com Ford Fusion fought loose conditions throughout Labonte's qualifying effort.

Labonte took the green flag on Sunday under sunny skies and an announced crowd of 94,400 fans. Radioing to crew chief Todd Parrott, Labonte reported the car to still be loose. After struggling with the car for 13 laps, Labonte initiated the race's second caution with a spin in turn three. The veteran was able to keep the car from extensive damage during the spin and aimed the No. 96 for pit road for major adjustments by Parrott and team.

The Ask.com team resumed 41st and Labonte reported the Ford to be much better following the changes. Climbing his way through the field, Labonte reached 25th position, his best track position of the day. As Busch continued to circle the track in swift fashion, more than half the race field found itself a lap off the pace, including Labonte.

An untimely caution at lap 63 came amidst green-flag pit stops by many teams and pinned the No. 96 team another lap off the lead.

Trouble began for the Ask.com team soon after the green flag fell again. Labonte reported to have lost a valve spring and the engine began to lose power. In an effort to complete as many laps as possible, Labonte drove the impaired car for several laps until the No. 96 Ask.com Ford Fusion motor expired for the day.

"As good as last weekend was, it turned on us (in Atlanta), but that's the way it is," said Labonte. "We struggled in practice and got a little bit better for the race. We spun out early and caused a caution, so we got to work on it. We actually got our lap times better and better. Lap-time wise we weren't that bad. The caution came out with that tire on pit road and then we cycled back around and something happened to the motor. It's just one of those days. You're gonna have that."

Quick Facts: Labonte was able to open the race weekend Friday by providing a ride to school for Cotton Indian Elementary fifth-grader William Starr. Starr was recognized for representing his school in the Ask.com Safe Search School program, which promotes internet safety education and awareness. The veteran driver, who is sponsored by Ask.com, also participated in delivering new computers to the school's computer lab.