Bobby Labonte: GFS Marketplace 400 preview

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- When Bobby Labonte left Michigan in June, he had just finished second for the fourth time this season and was in the midst of a hot streak that began in Martinsville in April. Fast forward almost two months and Labonte finds himself in the midst of another streak, a streak that he would be more than happy not to be a part of.

Over the past five races, Labonte has not finished better than 14th place and has dropped from fourth-place in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series point standings back to seventh-place, 526-points behind series leader Matt Kenseth.

"It sure is a big difference since the last time we were there," said Labonte. "We haven't been running terrible, but have had no real racing luck on our side the last month or so it seems. It's like we can't seem to make the right call at the right time. I'm confident that we'll get back up there and run up front, but it's been frustrating for sure. The timing couldn't be better for us to be going to Michigan this weekend. I love that place."

Whether it's good timing or not, Labonte has never made a secret out of his affection for the two-mile oval located in the Irish Hills of Michigan. Since making his second career Winston Cup start there in August 1991, Labonte has put up some impressive numbers. In 22 career starts, he has managed to rack up three victories, three poles, nine top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.

"We have had a pretty successful campaign up there and I am glad we are heading back up there this weekend," explained Labonte. "We have just had some terrible luck the last month or so, but maybe going back to Michigan will help all of us out. We're taking the same car I won the pole with up there in June and we ended up finishing second in that race to Kurt (Busch) so I feel really good about that."

For Labonte, Michigan provides an opportunity to try to get things back on a positive track as the season starts to hit the home stretch. With only 14 races left including this weekend's event, Labonte knows he can't have anymore miscues if he wants to get back in the top-five in points and have an outside chance at a second championship.

"Mathematically we're not out of it yet, but realistically we're all racing for second-place," admitted Labonte. "We just need to avoid anymore mistakes or problems. I think we are capable of winning at least two or three more races before the end of the season and feel confident we can get back up there in the middle of the points chase. We've just had a tough run of luck lately, but it isn't anything that can't be overcome. We're still having fun and enjoying coming to the track each and every week. That makes a big difference when you're in the middle of this 20-race stretch. It can be a huge factor when we get down to four or five races to go."