Bobby Labonte: Sirius at the Glen preview

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- While this weekend's Sirius Satellite Radio at the Glen is only 90 laps in length, Bobby Labonte knows that the tracks 11 turns around the 2.45-mile facility will offer him little time to relax.

"You really have zero time to relax in the car at Watkins Glen," said Labonte, "You have to have patience as it is a rhythm type of track, but you can't sit back either. The pace of the races lately seems to be like we're qualifying every lap and Watkins Glen will be no exception. The competition is so tough, you can't rest at all at a place like that. You are always trying to think ahead as to where you can make your next pass."

"It's also very important to hit all of your marks out there like it is any track we go to, but if you get off-track just a little bit, or get shuffled around in traffic, you are going to the rear of the field quickly at the Glen," added Labonte. "It just upsets your rhythm and it can take a lap or two to get going again."

Though not one of the favorites this weekend, a victory at the historic road-course is not entirely out of the question for Labonte. He has led laps at Watkins Glen in the past and knows it takes a total team effort to pull off a win there.

"When I was able to start on the pole up there in 2000, (qualifying rained out - started by owner's points) we were able to lead 15 or 20 laps and we ended up finishing fifth that day," recalled Labonte. "That was a good day, but you almost need to have a perfect day on and off the track to find victory lane at a road-course."

A lot of the perfecting Labonte speaks of begins back at the race shop prior to the team even hitting the track. With so much more stress put on a variety of parts during a road-course event, nothing is overlooked when coming to a track like Watkins Glen.

"I think the preparation in the shop is where a road-course race is won or lost," admitted Labonte. "There is so much work that goes into the transmissions and gears and especially the braking systems on these cars. Every detail matters, and to me, that's where all the team work and behind the scenes stuff pays off. We have a limited amount of practice time and we can't be wasting it on parts and pieces that aren't working properly."

Labonte knows he also has an advantage of not only being able to rely on his No. 18 Interstate Batteries Racing Team to get the job done, but also having the ability to lean on his teammate Tony Stewart from time to time if needed.

"Since I joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 1995, we have been pretty decent up there," Labonte said. "Except for an engine failure in 1997 and last year's problems we experienced, we have always run pretty good. But since Tony came on board in 1999, things definitely stepped up. We are able to share information about the cars and what they are doing and what we are feeling. I know he has helped Bobby Labonte become a better road-racer. Seeing him win here last season just motivates me to try harder and become a better road-racer."