Race Recap: Bobby Labonte

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- When the checkered flag fell on Sunday's race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Interstate Batteries Chevrolet driver Bobby Labonte was clearly disappointed he didn't record his first victory of the 2003 season.

	Bobby Labonte

However, in the aftermath of what was his most disappointing season to date, Labonte knew his fourth-place finish was a big deal not only for himself, but also for the entire team. Given that fact, Labonte left Las Vegas smiling and feeling that more good things are in store in the coming weeks and months

"The guys on the Interstate Batteries Chevrolet did a great job and we came out with a top-five," said an elated Labonte. "That's our first top five in a long time I'm sure, so it feels good. We're very fortunate that we came out of here today with a clean racecar. It seemed like everything that was happening out there was happening in front of me. Luckily, I just wasn't involved in anything."

A week removed from a great run, but a disappointing finish at Rockingham, Labonte and the Joe Gibbs owned team came into this weekend's event in Las Vegas with a little bit of confidence based on what they had seen and accomplished last week.

They didn't waste anytime proving it on Friday evening either as Labonte grabbed his first Bud Pole in over a year and in the process, broke the track qualifying record under the lights for the rain-delayed qualifying session.

"It was pretty fast," said Labonte. "It was good. The Interstate Batteries Chevrolet was good from the first lap on. We just had to tweak on it and we did that about two or three times. We made a couple of adjustments before qualifying and the car was really good."

Given the fact that Labonte was able to come into Las Vegas, win the pole position and run among the leaders all day, the success they found this weekend is sure to be another confidence builder for everyone on the team.

"Yeah, it was. It was a good day," Labonte explained. "We had a good car all day. We weren't quite as good as some guys on the get-go, but we were better after 20 laps and then we were still good after 60 laps, or whenever we would pit. But, it was good.

"We were a little bit off at the beginning of a run, but I don't blame that on anybody but me. We're getting better every week and that's what we all want to see. Hopefully we can improve some more next week in Atlanta."