[media-credit name=”charlottemotorspeedway.com” align=”alignright” width=”232″]
[/media-credit]Trying to Win Another Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
CONCORD, N.C. (May 18, 2012) – – For NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers and teams, Charlotte Motor Speedway race weeks are busier than most during the 36-race schedule. Take JTG Daugherty Racing driver Bobby Labonte for example.
In addition to promoting ‘Racing Season is Grilling Season’ with Kingsford Charcoal on his No. 47 Toyota Camry at Charlotte Motor Speedway, his foundation (Bobby Labonte Foundation) hosted an annual golf tournament benefiting Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) on Wednesday. Then on Sunday, Labonte will hold his annual ‘Share the Road Memorial Ride’ cycling event in addition to facilitating media requests and appearances during the two weeks.
The golf event was held at TPC Piper Glen in Charlotte, NC. The event paired foursomes with a celebrity and concluded with a reception, dinner and live auction. The tournament raised $103,504 for juvenile diabetes research.
“The golf outing was a great success,” Labonte said. “There was a lot of energy and young kids attending representing JDRF telling their stories. We had celebrities there to help us bring more awareness to JDRF. It was nice to have Tad Geschickter, Michael Waltrip, Lee White, Kelly Bires, Landon Cassill, Rick Allen and so many more from the NASCAR community present. It was a great day and we raised a lot of money. It was good to see the kids happy and their spirits up.”
The Bobby Labonte Foundation ‘Share the Road Memorial Ride’ taking place Sunday originating at Wheatmore High School in Trinity, N.C. memorializes those who have been tragically killed or hurt while riding. The money raised will benefit the Bikes Belong Coalition, a national organization. It will also assist Randolph County Schools to promote health and fitness, as well as benefit children in need. There is a 50 K (31 Miles), 70K (43 Miles) and 100K (62 Miles) route course through Trinity, NC with Labonte participating in the 62-mile event.
“We’re going to have a good turnout and nice weather for the cycling event,” said Labonte, who is an avid cyclist. “We are bringing attention to cyclists sharing the road with automobiles during our second annual ride and I’d like to thank REESE Towpower and Archdale Drug Company for their support.
“Also, we’re grateful to be able to participate in the backpack program for Randolph,” Labonte said. “We always see people on television that are facing a lack of food, but we also have people facing it only 10 miles from our house. We’re able to help give kids backpacks to have food for the weekend. Some parents don’t have enough to feed three meals a day at home. We wanted to help the community and bring more awareness.”
Once Labonte wraps up his Bobby Labonte Foundation initiatives near and dear to his heart, the 2000 champion focuses on the Coca-Cola 600 race weekend. The Coca-Cola 600 was Labonte’s very first trip to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28, 1995.
“The first race you ever win is awesome and you never forget it,” Labonte said. “Not only did I win, but my brother (Terry) finished second. We ran a good race and it was looking like maybe Kenny Schrader was going to win and then he had a problem near the end of the race and I was like, ‘Gosh, we are going to win this thing.’
“I’m looking forward to being back and would like nothing more than to win Coca-Cola’s race again,” Labonte said. “I’ve been a member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family since 1998. Coca-Cola is a great sponsor. They are an awesome company to be associated with and I’m always conscious of their product. I enjoy giving back to them and being a part of their activation. They don’t ask a lot and it’s a company where you will do whatever for them.”
Labonte’s impressive record at the 1.5-mile oval includes two wins, three pole awards, 12 top-five, 17 top-10 finishes. He has also led 807 laps in front of the hometown crowd. Not to mention, he has finished second six times.
“Having a record like that, makes you feel good going back,” Labonte said. “Everybody likes that track and being in front of a hometown crowd. We’ve got the Sprint Showdown race this weekend and we’re going to use it for a test session. We’re hoping to learn a lot during that race to apply to the Coca-Cola 600.”
Labonte is proud to carry the Kingsford Charcoal brand on his No. 47 Toyota Camry as he looks to add to his 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories, 115 top-five and 201 top-10 finishes during Memorial Day weekend.
“Memorial Day is a special day to remember the men and women who died while serving our country and it’s also a day to take time to be with your family,” said Labonte. “My family and I will be together on that special holiday and we plan to grill out like we did for Mother’s Day and pretty much most days of the week. It’s grilling season and it’s an American pastime. Once Memorial Day hits, summertime is upon us. So, take time with your family to remember the special holiday.”
The Sprint Showdown on Saturday, May 19th begins at 7 p.m. live on SPEED followed by the Sprint All-Star Race.
On Sunday, May 27th the Coca-Cola 600 will air live on FOX at 5:30 p.m. ET.
