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June 19, 2007
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – NASCAR Champion Terry Labonte is coming out of retirement to drive the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry in NASCAR’s first road-course event of the season, the Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway. This weekend’s endeavor also marks the first time he will be behind the wheel of the new Car of Tomorrow in competition. To date, “Texas Terry” has scored six top-5 and eight top-10 finishes in 18 starts at the two-mile track.
Meanwhile, NAPA Racing’s driver Michael Waltrip will be in attendance as team owner. He is looking forward to the opportunity Labonte presents for his young team. If all goes well, Labonte will keep the momentum going after an impressive top-10 run at Michigan as well as help the NAPA team continue to improve.
NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Terry Labonte:
How was it getting back into a race car at the road course in Montreal?
“It was fun. I’ve gotten in my son’s dirt car a couple of times but it was good to get back into one of these types of cars. It was fun to run a few laps on the road course in Montreal. I am looking forward to Infineon. I’ve always enjoyed going out there, and it’s a lot of fun to drive. It is not an easy track by any means. I am sure it will be different this year with driving the Car of Tomorrow. I don’t think anyone knows what to expect, so it should be interesting and a lot of fun.”
Thoughts on coming out of retirement to drive for Michael and the NAPA Racing program:
“Michael and I had a long talk the other day and I just decided that I would be up to running the road courses for him to see if I can help him out. It’s kind of funny, some days when I watch a race, I kind of wish I was there and, there are some days, I am glad I am sitting at home. I think when you have done something as long as I have, you still enjoy doing it. I still like the sport. But then there are other days where I am completely happy doing something else. The decision for me to run at Infineon and Watkins Glen is a good decision for me. Hopefully, I can help Michael out a little bit. It is so hard to start a new team these days. I know he has a long way to go with where he wants to be so; I hope that I can help him out at these couple of events. I’ll give him my honest opinion and if I see something that I think I can help, I will certainly lend the NAPA team my support.”
NAPA AUTO PARTS driver/owner Michael Waltrip:
Michael’s thoughts on putting Terry in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry:
“I asked Terry to not only drive my car but give me feedback on what he sees and what he thinks concerning our program. He’s been tremendously successful on the road courses over the years and I felt he could really help our overall program.
“We are real pleased to have him in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry. We do not get to the West Coast often so it was very important for us to qualify out there. We work so hard to help NAPA sell auto parts, so to have that guarantee of having Terry in the race is important. I am looking forward to being there as an owner and watching our NAPA car not only compete but be competitive over the course of the race.
“I can’t wait to experience what it is like to be just a car owner for a change. We prepare all week and you worry all week when you are in the position I am in. I am concerned about the car and how it will be when it unloads. And of course, I look at our chances of making the race. If it rains, I’m out. There is a lot to be concerned about over the course of the week as well as the weekend. That’s what our situation is right now and we are okay with it. We wish it was different but, it is not. Anytime you can guarantee getting your car in the race with a guy like Terry Labonte driving is a real bonus. Terry’s been up to the road course in Montreal so he’s warmed up. The car we are taking this weekend has been to Virginia International Raceway so I think we are ready to go.”
Terry Labonte Fast Facts
NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Terry Labonte will attempt to qualify for his 849th NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race when the 16th event of the 2007 season, the Toyota/SaveMart 350, is held at Infineon Raceway on Sunday.
Labonte will attempt to start in his 19th Cup race at the 10-Turn, 1.99-mile road course. His best start is 1st (May 6, 1996) and best finish is 2nd (June 16, 1992). In total, he has six top-5 and eight top-10 finishes at Infineon.
Labonte has completed 1537 of 1664 laps (92.4%) at the track and has led a total of 46 laps in competition. His average start is 15th and average finish is 18th.
Entering this weekend's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event, the NAPA team is 51st in the driver standings and 48th in owner standings. The NAPA team will need to qualify for the Toyota/SaveMart 350 on time since the No. 55 car is outside the top 35 in owner point standings. A total of 52 cars are entered at Infineon. Of the entrants, 17 are go-or-go-home teams. Labonte will be competing for eight qualifying spots, one of which may be used as a past champion's provisional by Labonte, if needed. Labonte a the two-time NASCAR Cup champion. He won the title in 1984 and 1996.
NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Terry Labonte Infineon Raceway Statistics
Mikey on the Tube
Michael participated in a taping of an NBC Nightly News segment featuring NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and the Victory Junction Gang Camp on Friday, June 5. The feature is slated to air on Friday, June 22.
NASCAR NEXTEL Toyota/SaveMart 350 Broadcast Coverage
Live coverage of the Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway begins Sunday, June 24 at 4 p.m. ET on TNT. It can also be heard on your local PRN Radio affiliate at the same time.
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