MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY PREVIEWTrack: Martinsville Speedway
Event: STP Gas Booster 500
Date & Time: Sunday, April 7th, 1 PM ET
Broadcast: FOX, MRN Radio
Martinsville Speedway Synopsis:
Martinsville Speedway has held 128 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races where there have been 57 pole winners and 47 race winners.
Bobby Labonte is one of those drivers that owns a pole (4/23/95) and a victory (4/14/02) and has six top-five and 14 top-10 finishes at the .526-mile short track. The 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion has led 320 laps at Martinsville. He also won a NASCAR Nationwide Series race (10/18/92) at the venue.
Labonte is currently 31st in the points standings, 117 points behind leader Dale Earnhardt Jr.
JTG Daugherty Racing Quotes:
“Martinsville Speedway is a track where we excelled last year,” Labonte said. “We worked hard, stayed out of harms way and finished ninth in October. It’s a track I enjoy racing and own a Nationwide Series and a Cup win there. Having run well there in the past gives the JTG Daugherty Racing team confidence going into this weekend. We’ve got some ground to make up after enduring some bad luck the last couple races that hurt us in the points standings. If we can take care of our equipment for 500 laps and not get tangled in someone’s web, we should fair well.”
“This weekend we have BUSH’S® Beans on the No. 47 Toyota Camry,” Labonte continued. “They’ve been a proud partner of JTG Daugherty Racing for a very long time. It would mean a lot for us to deliver a solid finish to the folks in Knoxville, Tennessee this weekend. I’m a fan of theirs and I love dipping into a Pop Top can of Country Style Baked Beans when I’m at the track. BUSH’S Beans are a perfect complement for any occasion. Get Out & Grill!”
“We’re going from one of Bobby’s toughest tracks (Auto Club Speedway) to one of his most favorite tracks, which is Martinsville Speedway,” crew chief Brian Burns said. “He’s won there before and from what I understand it’s an enjoyable track for him. We had a solid setup last year and finished in the top-10 (ninth). We’re planning on improving those results with BUSH’S® Beans on board the No. 47 Toyota Camry.”
“BUSH’S® Beans is a household name for my family,” Burns continued. “My wife loves the brand and is always asking for me to bring some home. It’s a perfect side dish for us when we’re grilling burgers. We’ve had some nice spring days and have been able to Get Out & Grill.”
Bobby Labonte Stats:
Career Starts: 695
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 (329 races since)
Driver DOB: 05/08/1964
Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX
Crew Chief: Brian Burns
Bush’s Beans – Family Inspired Recipes
With families like yours in mind, we’ve developed recipes that will inspire you to bring something new to the table. Find recipes for weeknight meals and everyday gatherings—take the time to try and discover new family favorites.
Tailgater of the Week:
Do you have what it takes to be the “TAILGATER OF THE WEEK”?
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!
Bobby Labonte Scheduled Appearances:
Sunday, April 7th
9:45 AM to 10 AM Q&A at Sprint stage in Martinsville Speedway Midway
