Race Preview: Bobby Labonte

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- For a racecar driver, the ability to pass other drivers and the ability to maneuver your way through a pack of cars is what racing is supposed to be about. At Talladega and Daytona though, the name of the game has become blocking and how well you can do that.

Unfortunately it has become so important, it often determines how successful one might be at those two tracks.

For Bobby Labonte, driver of the Interstate Batteries Chevrolet, it has become all too common, but also points out he is not sure what can be done about it.

"There's still racing going on, but we're looking in our mirrors 70 percent of the time," noted Labonte. "Its just not like racing should be. I'm not saying I have the cure all for it, but something needs to be done.

" I know the fans probably love the races there, but from a driver's standpoint, they aren't a lot of fun. The driver and his abilities are completely taken out of the equation. When you hear us say it's like a chess match, it really is."

At one time, in the not so distant past, Labonte was not too bad when it came to the restrictor-plate tracks. In recent years though, his performances have left him scratching his head for answers.

"We've tried about every type of strategy at that place and I just can't seem to miss an accident anymore to save my life," says Labonte. "I have tried running up front and have gotten wrecked there and I've also tried running near the back of the draft in hopes of missing a wreck if one did happen in front of me. Neither of them have worked for me lately so I'm not sure what to do.

"From 1996 to 1999 I couldn't seem to finish outside the top five there and now I can't seem to find the top-five. They say it goes in cycles. If that's the case, I am ready for the other part of this cycle to start again."

In addition to the blocking that goes on out on the racetrack, Labonte says there is also a fair amount of blocking going on along pit road. With the smaller fuel cells NASCAR introduced last season in an effort to break up the big packs of cars on the track, drivers are sometimes trying to block one another getting on and off pit road.

"Everything there is about momentum," explained Labonte. "From our qualifying laps to the race, it is all about maintaining the momentum. With the restrictor-plate motors, you can't afford to have to get off the gas at all or you're going to end up going backwards. The minute you have to lift for anything, you are either going to lose the draft or come close to losing it.

"And while we don't draft on pit road there, you will sometimes have a guy trying to brake check you coming into pit road or pull out right in front of you leaving just to try and mess you up a little.

"Getting on and off pit road is so critical, especially with the smaller fuel cells. If you have any problems getting on or off pit road, you can pretty much guarantee you'll lose the lead draft."