July 29, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS , I.N. –Two-time NASCAR champion Terry Labonte was en route to a top-20 finish during the Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when the engine expired with just 10 laps to go. The NAPA AUTO PARTS team was 23rd at the time of the failure and had to settle for a 30th-place finish.

“Before the engine let go, it just did not want to run,” said Labonte after climbing out of the car. “The car was a little loose all day but was drivable. It’s a shame. The NAPA pit crew did an awesome job in the pits gaining quite a few spots every time, but when it was time to go, the car did not have the speed.”

Forty-six of the first 100 laps of the event were run under caution as a result of several multi-car accidents. Drivers Jeff Green, Ryan Newman, Tony Raines, Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson and J.J. Yeley were forced to call it a day as a result of their mishaps. On Lap 92, Michael Waltrip Racing driver David Reutimann was forced off the track after he lost a piston in his engine.

The NAPA crew used the caution-flag periods to adjust the car for Labonte, who started the race in 43rd place. The driver’s main focus was improving the handling of the Camry through the center of the corners in order to alleviate a loose condition.

Calling the shots on top of the NAPA pit box was team engineer Derrick Finley because crew chief Buddy Sisco was back home in North Carolina recuperating from knee surgery. To tighten up the car for Labonte, Finley had the crew adjust air pressure, track bar and wedge throughout the course of the 160-lap event. 

The pit crew performed 12-second stops on laps 17, 41, 63 and 78. Two of those services saw Labonte gain over seven positions in the pits. The fast stops and adjustments enabled the NAPA Camry to climb into the top-25 with 60 laps to go. In fact, on the team’s final stop on lap 139 for wedge, it appeared the driver was on the verge of a top-20 finish. Unfortunately, the engine would not last, ending the NAPA crew’s day.

Claiming his second consecutive victory of the season and second win at the Brickyard was Indianapolis native Tony Stewart. Stewart made an impressive pass on Kevin Harvick with eight laps to go. Rounding out the top-10 finishers in the Allstate 400 were Juan Pablo Montoya, Kyle Busch, Reed Sorenson, Mark Martin, Harvick, Jeff Burton, Dave Blaney and Matt Kenseth.

A total of four Toyota teams participated in Sunday’s event at the Brickyard.  Blaney scored the manufacturer’s only top-10 finish of the event with his ninth-place run. Brian Vickers claimed 21st, followed by Labonte in 30th and Reutimann in 38th.

Next week Michael Waltrip returns to the driver’s seat of the NAPA Camry for the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway, one of his favorite tracks.

Allstate 400 Results:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/20/data/results_unofficial.html

Next Up:
Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway on August 5
2006 Winner: Denny Hamlin
2006 Pole: Denny Hamlin
Television: ESPN at 1 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN