Bobby Labonte hasn't won since his win at Homestead in 2003. Credit: Autostock

Labonte looks strong after qualifying sixth

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- For the first time in 13 races both of Joe Gibbs Racing's full-time Nextel Cup Series drivers qualified in the top-10, Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Defending Ford 400 champion Bobby Labonte placed sixth on the 43-car grid for Sunday's season finale, while teammate Tony Stewart was into eighth.

The last time they both qualified anywhere nearly that close to the front was at Michigan on Aug. 20, when both qualified in the top 10.

Ford 400 Lineup 1st Practice Speeds

In Sunday's 267 lapper, a lot of attention will be paid to Bud Pole winner Kurt Busch, who is also the point leader; and the other four drivers who have a mathematical shot at the title.

In qualifying, Busch's best lap was in 179.319 mph. Labonte was at 178.542 and Stewart, 177.866.

Labonte was, however, seventh in Friday's morning practice, with a lap in 178.259 mph. Stewart lagged behind in 22nd, at 177.154 behind leader Ricky Rudd's 178.636 mph lap.

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"The car was pretty good," Labonte said. "We didn't start off very good but we got better in practice and then qualifying backed up our speed.

"Some guys picked up (but) a lot of guys lost (speed). I think as far as average goes we were better than average. The car felt pretty good on the lap that we ran."

Labonte is mostly concerned about getting his car handling better for Sunday's race. A year ago, he led only one lap, the last, when Bill Elliott's car suffered a flat tire.

For the Gibbs teammates, qualifying well this season has not translated into good finishes, as only eight of Stewart's 18 top-10s have come from top-10 starts; and only one of Labonte's 11 has.

That's why Labonte's anxious for Saturday.

"I think we'll be all right (but) we got our work cut out for us," Labonte said. "A lot of the guys are pretty good. We're not the best car yet, that's for sure.

"We got to get better tomorrow in practice and then we'll see how it turns out for Sunday."

Labonte ran Friday's Ford 200 Craftsman Truck Series race, but completed only 87 of 134 laps and finished 29th. He was running in the top-five before a spin in Turn 4.