TRG continues to play role of David against Goliaths (cont'd)

Labbe took a call from Buckler while driving home from Daytona, after talking with Richard Childress Racing executive Mike Dillon. RCR has provided both cars and engines for TRG through the ECR Engines company. Labbe began work there the Monday after Daytona.

"What we're doing with what we've got is nothing short of amazing," Labbe said. "If people from Hendrick or Roush or Gibbs came by our shop and saw what we've got and what we're doing with what we've got, it's simply amazing and it blows me away.

David Gilliland

2009 Results

Race	Start	Finish	Status
Fontana	32	33	running
Las Vegas	30	14	running
Atlanta	31	24	running
Bristol	14	36	running
Averages	26.8	26.8

“

NASCAR's philosophy of the [new car] and the testing ban truly created an opportunity like this for us. Without it, it would have been impossible ...

”

KEVIN BUCKLER, owner

"I feel very fortunate to be a part of it and it kinda drives you and motivates you to do better. I've worked for good teams and you know what good teams have for resources. We've got nothing -- no engineers, no shock guys. We're just doing it with good, hard-[butt] racing. Everybody is really proud of what we've been able to do."

Gilliland said Labbe has actually been the team's shock specialist. In Labbe's words, "whatever it takes."

"It's been working and I just hope Kevin can get some sponsors, because we need to add some people and some more tools to work with, just a lot of little things," Labbe said. "Like I told Kevin, we can get by without a shock guy and an engineer but I need another race car. Everyone's pitching in and busting their [butts] because they understand if we keep getting good race cars and everybody steps up and works harder, we'll keep doing it with less people."

No matter what happens, Buckler said he's in NASCAR for the long haul.

"NASCAR's philosophy of the [new car] and the testing ban truly created an opportunity like this for us," Buckler said. "Without it, it would have been impossible, and not only that, what I've been most amazed with is all of these teams, everybody here, has been so gracious to us. From the team owners like Mr. Childress and the whole RCR organization, everyone has welcomed the little teams into it.

"With the economy the way it is, they know we need new blood and they're kind of nurturing us along, to a certain extent. I'm not sure it's going to be forever, but without that it would have been super-difficult. I love the camaraderie in the garage here, and by the same token, that we fight each other on the track, so it's cool."

Whatever the future holds, it doesn't change the achievement for anyone involved. That includes Buckler, his company's lead driver for 11 years, with his biggest achievement an unprecedented overall victory in the 2003 Rolex 24 at Daytona in a GT class Porsche. It includes Gilliland, who won a Winston West championship as his father Butch's crew chief in 1997. It includes Labbe, whose deal is similar to Gilliland's. And it includes TRG competition director Butch Hylton, who also serves as crew chief for the organization's Camping World Truck Series team.

The team began the season with only two race cars. Mike Wallace missed the lucrative Daytona 500 by one go-or-go-home spot. (Continued)