Labonte and JTG Daugherty Racing are Ready for a Fresh Start as a Champion is Crowned at Homestead-Miami Speedway
HOMESTEAD, Fla. (November 15, 2011) – – It is no surprise to 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship is still up for grabs entering the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway’s 1.5-mile oval. It’s one of the tightest point’s battles with only three points separating Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart respectively as they fight for the title in front of a sellout crowd on Sunday.
“I knew it was going to be so close with the new points format,” said Labonte, who has one victory, three top-five and four top-10 finishes at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “I said that I’d be surprised if it didn’t come down to the end of the year and you’ll still have a couple guys fighting on the last lap at Homestead.”
As Edwards eyes his first championship and Stewart his third, Labonte and JTG Daugherty Racing’s owners focus on finishing the last race of the season on a high note in the midst of ramping up their 2012 campaign.
“The end of the season feels like the last day of school used to feel as a kid,” Geschickter said. “You are excited about getting some time to re-group, but you also take the time to reflect on the good things that have happened over the year.”
Geschickter is pleased with the progress that new general manager and crew chief Todd Berrier is making at the Harrisburg, N.C. shop.
“We are optimistic about how Todd Berrier is developing our program for next season,” Geschickter said. “It’s going to be a busy off season, but we are up for the challenge. We are fortunate to have a group of sponsors who are standing behind us as we work to improve our on-track performance in 2012.”
Interim crew chief Brian Burns has done a solid job of rounding out this season for JTG Daugherty Racing.
“It’s been a blast working as crew chief with a class act driver like Bobby Labonte,” Burns said. “Although we haven’t always gotten the results that we have expected this year, we have definitely made gains each week. Last week was a pretty good week in Phoenix and we plan on using that momentum in Homestead to finish the year off strong.”
One of JTG Daugherty Racing’s proud partners, Reese Towpower® is branding the No. 47 Toyota Camry to close out the year. Reese Towpower® has pioneered the technology that has set the standard for today’s most advanced towing.
“We’ve really enjoyed growing our partnership with Reese Towpower®,” said Labonte. “They’ve done a great job activating their sponsorship in NASCAR. Also, all the work they did with DKMS to help find Jordan Jemsek and others a bone marrow match was pretty special to watch. They really got involved and made their racing program a success while helping others. We’re proud to be a partner.”
Live coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway begins at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN. Sirius XM and MRN Radio will also carry the event.
