NASCAR BGN Series MBNA 200 Preview: #44, Bobby Labonte
18 September 1997
#44 Bobby Labonte, Shell Pontiac Grand Prix NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division MBNA 200 Advance Dover Downs International Speedway SHELL TEAM HAS THE "BROOM IN THE TRUCK" FOR DOVER BGN SWEEP DOVER, DE - Bobby Labonte and the Shell Oil Racing Team are packed and ready for this weekend's MBNA 200 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Labonte and the team are on a mission to make a clean sweep of the Busch Series events at the one mile Delaware speedway. Crew chief Bryant Frazier says he and the team are ready for the task. "We've got the broom in the truck with us for the sweep," said Frazier. "We will have the identical package we had at Dover back in June. Same car, same motor, same everything. I've always loved coming to Dover and my cars always run good there. It's just that we would always have some kind of trouble that would prevent us from winning the race. I'll be very surprised if we're not in the hunt for the victory on Saturday." Three other drivers (Robert Pressley, Todd Bodine, and Randy LaJoie) have won both Dover Busch races in a single season, the most recent being LaJoie in 1996. A win by Labonte on Saturday would be a first, however, since no full time Winston Cup competitor has ever accomplished a sweep. Labonte's chances for the Dover double are good, considering his recent record at track. In his past two Busch Series starts at the Monster Mile, he has recorded one pole and one race victory. Add to that the fact Labonte has two poles and two top-five finishes in his two most recent Winston Cup starts, one can easily understand if Labonte has great affection for Dover Downs. "I've had a lot of success recently at Dover, but I honestly can't put my finger on the reason why," Labonte said. "I guess the main reason is because I've been in good race cars. My Shell car was awesome in May, and the team did a great job in the pits all day long. We had a perfect day and won the race. "I haven't always liked Dover. It took me a couple of times to figure out what I needed to do to make the car go fast. It's not a forgiving race track. You've always got to be a little on the tight side, the comfortable side. By the time you realize you're on the other side, it's already too late." By Camp & Associates, Inc.