Slugger Labbe is still recovering from his illness, but is back at the track this weekend. Credit: Autostock

Notebook: Labbe back on pit box for Mayfield

LONG POND, Pa. -- Slugger Labbe is back at the track after a nasty bout of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which sidelined him at Dover last weekend.

The illness was frustrating for Labbe because his driver, Jeremy Mayfield, had dominated practice at Dover, but Labbe woke up sick on Sunday morning and was unable to work.

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Evernham Motorsports Team Director Kenny Francis filled in for Labbe, but Mayfield's Dodge was too loose in the Dover heat, and Mayfield wound up 14th.

"I felt hopeless sitting during the race. Not much you can do," Labbe said. "We had a good car and thought we were going to have a better finish than that."

Labbe said he lost 15 pounds, but he will be on the pit box on Sunday.

"It really knocks you on your butt," said Labbe. "I have been sick for 12 days. Pretty bad stuff, just really a lot of aches and pains, really bad headache, you can't think straight, can't eat nothing.

"Hope a driver never gets it, no driver could be able to drive," Labbe said. "I took the whole week off."

Hermie Sadler Credit: Autostock

Hermie crashes,
misses the show again

Hermie Sadler missed his fifth Nextel Cup race of the year on Saturday when he crashed in qualifying for the Pocono 500.

Sadler was driving Stanton Barrett's No. 92 Chevrolet, which came into the event 42nd in owners points. Sadler was the second driver to make an attempt when he crashed in Turn 3.

Schrader's team denies rumor

An Internet report stated that veteran Ken Schrader might not end his Nextel Cup career with BAM Racing, but the team said Schrader would be in the car in 2006.

"We are very much planning on Ken Schrader remaining in our car, and every indication Kenny has given us is that he plans on remaining in our car," team owner Beth Ann Morgenthau said.

"We've already begun discussions with (sponsor) Schwan's in regards to our plans for 2006 and the future, and those involve Ken Schrader."

Schrader, who turned 50 last month, will likely drive a full Craftsman Truck Series schedule in 2007.