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NASCAR BGN Series Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 Preview: #44, Bobby Labonte

16 October 1997

 
 #44 Bobby Labonte, Shell Oil Pontiac Grand Prix 
 NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division
 Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 Advance
 California Speedway

           KENWOOD 300 FINAL RIDE FOR LABONTE IN SHELL OIL PONTIAC 

FONTANA, CA - The Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 will be the first ever Busch 
Series race at California Speedway but the last for Bobby Labonte in the 
Shell Oil Pontiac. Shell will sponsor Tony Stewart's Busch effort in 1998
while Labonte's BGN plans remain uncertain. One thing is for sure: Labonte 
would like nothing better than to go out a winner Sunday afternoon in Fontana.

"Shell has been a great to Bobby Labonte Racing as a sponsor over the last two
years," Labonte said. "I'd love for us to go out together in the winner's
circle. I know this team is capable of winning. I'm pumped up because I know
this team can score a win.

"I know we've had our ups and downs this year but I'm proud of all my guys. 
We've had some frustrating things happen to us but the effort has always been
there. We wanted to win more races but sometimes things just don't go your
way. We were awesome in every race we ran last year but won only one race. 
We've been hit and miss at times this year but we've won one race."   

"I've never been to California Speedway, but Bobby has raced there in the
Winston Cup car," crew chief Bryant Frazier said. "I think that gives us an
advantage right off the bat. I'm taking the same car Bobby ran at Charlotte so
we feel real good about our chances. Bobby has scored two consecutive second
place finishes in Winston Cup, so I know he is primed for a win in that
division. We hope to get the ball rolling with a win in the Kenwood 300."

Under Shell sponsorship, Bobby Labonte Racing has two wins (at Nashville in
1996 and at Dover this past June), 13 top-five and 21 top-ten finishes in 31
starts. In addition, Labonte has won three pole positions (at Dover,
Charlotte, and Homestead) while wearing the Shell colors.


By Camp & Associates, Inc.