Rain fell over Dover, Del. most of Sunday morning, but the clouds parted just in time for the race’s start. Pole winner, Jimmie Johnson led the 43-car field to the green flag and by the competition yellow on lap 25; Johnson was steadily gaining on Labonte. In an attempt to put space between the leader and the No. 96, crew chief Ben Leslie opted for just two tires on the first pit stop.
The call would prove beneficial for Labonte and team 96, as he gained 12 track positions on the pit stop. Labonte was running 23rd when green flag racing resumed on lap 30.
Leslie’s call would pay off again just two laps later when several cars behind Labonte were taken out of the race due to a multi-car collision. The race was red flagged for several minutes and restarted on lap 37 with Labonte scored in 23rd place.
Over the next several runs Labonte reported an ill-handling No. 96. Despite Labonte’s reports, the DLP crew made only minor chassis and air pressure adjustments to the No. 96 Ford Fusion during scheduled pit stops.
Though Labonte didn’t have the car he’d hoped for, he did what he could to manage his Ford. The checkers waved at lap 400 and Labonte crossed the finish line in 23rd position.
“It was a frustrating day,” said Labonte following the race. “We fought it all day and could never get our car handling well. Track position is real important and we just didn’t have it and couldn’t really gain any either.”
Johnson dominated Dover for the second time this season and moved within 10 points of championship leader Mark Martin, who finished second. Matt Kenseth was third, followed by Juan Pablo Montoya and Kurt Busch.
UPCOMING RACE:
Kansas Speedway
Erik Darnell – No. 96 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford Fusion
Sunday, October 4, 2009
2:00 p.m. (EST) ABC television and MRN radio
LABONTE’S DOVER STATS:
Start: 41ST
Finish: 23RD
Laps: 298/300
Points: 94
Status: Running
High: 11TH
Low: 41ST
TEAM 96 2009 CUMULATIVE STATS:
Races: 28 of 36
Points: 2431
Rank: 31st
Top fives: One
Top 10s: One
Starts: 28
Poles: 0
- Yates Racing/Hall of Fame Racing, Press Release