Mechanical Problem Ends Labonte's Strong Busch Run

The bad news is, he suffered a fatal mechanical problem on Lap 149 of the 200-lap event and finished 37th.

“It’s a tough deal,” Labonte said. “We had a good car all day, and were ready to challenge for the win at the end. It’s one of those things and there’s nothing you can do about it. We’ve had some strong runs this year in the Busch car and our Banquet Chevrolet was really strong today. It’s a shame we couldn’t get a win.”

Labonte started 15th in the No. 19 Banquet Chevrolet and steadily moved up through the field early on. Aided by some quick pit work by his Banquet pit crew on Lap 124, under caution, Labonte managed to restart the race in second-place on Lap 126. He continued in second until Lap 149 when the fatal mechanical problem occurred.

Earlier in the day, Labonte qualified 39th in the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet for tomorrow’s Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods. Labonte turned a lap of 30.482 seconds, 177.154 mph.

His teammates, Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart, qualified seventh and ninth, respectively. Hamlin, however, will have to go to the rear of the field because he crashed on his second qualifying lap and has to go to a back-up car.

The Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods starts at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) and will be broadcast live on NBC and MRN.