Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Event: Kobalt Tools 400
Date: Sunday, March 10, 2013
TV/Radio: FOX, PRN
Start Time: 3 PM ET
Las Vegas Synopsis:
Bobby Labonte’s performances at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) includes 15 starts, two pole awards, four top-five, five top-10 and has led 32 laps. His best finish at LVMS is fourth (3/2/03). Last season, Labonte started 24th and finished 26th with JTG Daugherty Racing. The team is thriving and banking on having a better finish this time around. They will have a full day of testing on Thursday at LVMS.
Bobby Labonte Stats:
Career Starts: 692
Wins: 21
Top-five: 115
Top-10: 201
First Start: 06/03/1991 Dover
First Pole: 09/11/1993 Richmond
First Win: 05/28/1995 Charlotte
Last Pole: 04/04/2004 Texas
Last Win: 11/16/2003 Homestead (326 races since)
Driver DOB: 05/08/1964
Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX
Crew Chief: Brian Burns
JTG Daugherty Racing Las Vegas Quotes:
“Las Vegas is fun and I love racing out there,” Bobby Labonte said. “There is a day set aside for testing on Thursday. It is beneficial for our team to have that extra day because we have not done a lot of testing with the new car. We did test Charlotte Motor Speedway a couple times, but there is still so much to learn at these type of tracks. It’s a great opportunity for us because we need something like this.”
“Also, we have Kingsford Charcoal as a major sponsor on the No. 47 Toyota Camry for the first time this season,” Labonte said. “They have been activating a fun race program engaging with the fans called Tailgater of the Week. We will be scouting campgrounds this weekend to look for our next winner. With the brand on the car, we’re reminding fans that it’s time to ‘Get Out & Grill.’ Sunday is Daylight Saving Time and I’m looking forward to having an extra hour of daylight to grill.”
“We are very focused on the upcoming race in Vegas on Sunday,” crew chief Brian Burns said. “We struggled and fought hard at Phoenix International Raceway last week and managed to leave the desert with a solid 14th position in the season point standings. As a single car team, we have to take advantage of every opportunity early in the season to maintain or advance our points position.
“The Vegas test on Thursday is a perfect opportunity for us to get on the same stride as some of the larger teams, who may have invested in a lot more preseason testing,” Burns continued. “These earlier races in the season set the tempo for the rest of the year. If we can continue to improve like we have done recently, you should expect to see the No. 47 Kingsford Toyota Camry running up front more and more each week. Vegas was pretty hard on us last year with a 26th-place finish, but we have grown as team and learned so much since last year. We definitely feel like we are much better now than where we were at this point last year.”
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Kingsford Charcoal:
What are you going to do with your extra hour of daylight this weekend? Our partners at Kingsford Charcoal think you should spend it grilling out with family and friends. And, to help you look like the best GRILLMASTER on the block Kingsford has introduced a new line of Grilling Lifestyles apparel. Simply visit www.kingsford.com and use the promo code below to save 20% off of your order!
SAVE 20% OFF your order with Promo Code: LABONTE
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Tailgater of the Week:
Do you have what it takes to be the “TAILGATER OF THE WEEK”?
Last week’s winner was Bill Dehaven and company from Buckeye, Ariz. His site was one that JTG Daugherty Racing could not pass up and it definitely helped that he had Kingsford Charcoal Lighter Fluid and Kingsford Charcoal propped up against his grill that he loves to cook steaks on a regular basis.
He’s been tailgating at Phoenix International Raceway since 1988 when Alan Kulwicki won the first race of his career and did his famous Polish Victory Lap.
When we showed up to present this week’s prize pack, Dehaven had a full house. His company included Lyn Dehaven, Diana and Rory Hunzelman, Lynne and Bill Stroup. Our team was not the only group that recognized his unique setup.
“We’ve been in the local newspaper and we’ve won the Geico award,” Dehaven said.
JTG Daugherty Racing congratulates Dehaven for his efforts and look forward to awarding the next Tailgater of the Week at Vegas. Get Out & Grill!
Are you the ultimate “Grillmaster” at the race track? Do you want to win an all expense paid trip and be the VIP guest of JTG Daugherty Racing at the big race in Las Vegas in 2014?
If you answered yes, then get out to the track and let us know where you are tailgating! Each race weekend during the Sprint Cup season JTG Daugherty Racing will be scouting the infields and campgrounds, looking for the best tailgaters at the track. The best, most enthusiastic tailgaters each race weekend will win a custom prize pack and become eligible for our “TAILGATER OF THE YEAR” competition.
You can let us know where you are tailgating by tweeting us your location. Throughout the weekend, leading up to the green flag, our team members, owners and maybe even Bobby Labonte himself will be patrolling the infield and campsites looking for the best tailgaters. So, fire up your grills with Kingsford® Charcoal, heat up a can of Bush’s® Grillin’ Beans and clean up your messes with Clorox® and Scott® Brand Products!
Simply follow us on Twitter @NASCAR47 , send us a tweet with your tailgate location and include the hash tag #TweetYourTailgate
Visit www.RaceSavers.com for more details!
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Bobby Labonte Scheduled Appearances in Las Vegas:
Friday, March 8th from 8 to 9 p.m.
Bobby Labonte will be signing autographs for fans at The Pub at the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas.
