Catchfence

Atlanta, Georgia, (September 7, 2009) – Bobby Labonte finished 18th tonight in the TRG Motorsports No. 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet Impala SS. The six time winner showed his mastery of Atlanta Motor Speedway in tonight’s running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pep Boys Auto 500.

Labonte was quick to race forward from his 25th qualifying position. The Texan had the No. 71 Chevy battling in the top 20 for most of the night. About half-way through, on the strength of some strong pit work, Labonte was running 10th. Looking for the team’s first top ten in the Sprint Cup Series the handling of the car began to go away. Labonte and crew chief Richard “Slugger” Labbe were communicating all night and adjusting on the TaxSlayer.com No. 71, but had to settle for 18th place on the night.

“We ran the best we did all night at the beginning and after the second pit stop,” Labonte said. “We adjusted on the car all night. I am not sure what it was. We just couldn’t get it right tonight. I couldn’t get it any faster for a short run and couldn’t get it tight enough on entry and exit for a long run. I could get it tight in the center, but that would ruin our entry and exit.”

Labonte is happy with the team communication in his first outing with TRG Motorsports.

“Slugger was giving me a lot of information, probably more than I have heard in a long time. Everything we tried during the race seemed like the right adjustments to make, but the car was not totally into the track. On the third set of tires we were really off and we adjusted on it again and I think it was just a bad set of tires. I am encouraged about this first outing with these guys and I am looking forward to the next one.”

Kevin Buckler, TRG Motorsports team principal, knows his team is ready for a break-thru performance.

“It was a really good night,” Buckler said. “Bobby has taken right to our little team. We gave him a good car and he was able to move forward and run in the top ten. He and Slugger were right on with the communication. The guys in the pits did an awesome job, we were as strong as anyone. As usual Mike’s (Mike Brown, general manager and spotter) spotting was perfect and we were able to make-up track position and help keep Bobby motivated. We didn’t quite have the setup to stay in the top ten, but it sure was nice to see the TaxSlayer.com Chevy up there tonight. We’re moving forward and that’s the name of the game right now.”

The team will travel to Richmond International Raceway for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 to be run on Saturday, September 12.

TaxSlayer Pro’s computerized tax return system, which was introduced to professional tax practitioners in 1992, is the first chapter in the company’s story. The second was in 1998 when they used the basic technology from the professional package to develop their own individual version for online preparation and e-Filing. Growing out of an established firm with a solid reputation of over 30 years in the Tax Preparation business, TaxSlayer.com has the full expertise of a professional tax service behind every return. The TaxSlayer.com individual program is a fully featured online tax preparation step-by-step system that is designed for the individual taxpayer. This program provides all of the forms, calculations and communication links to allow you to prepare and e-File a tax return electronically with the IRS. Additional information can be found at www.taxslayer.com and www.taxslayerracing.com.

TRG Motorsports is based in Mooresville, North Carolina. Currently the team fields a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry as well as a limited Camping World Truck Series effort and an ARCA RE/MAX Series team. The Racer’s Group was founded in 1993 and has been competing at the top level of sports car racing. TRG’s Porsche sports car program is run out of the company’s headquarters in Petaluma, California. The team has the most wins of any team in the Grand-Am Rolex Series with 28, including the 2005 and 2006 Rolex Series GT championship trophy to go along with wins in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (three) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The TRG Motorsports crew is comprised of Mike Brown, Paul Clapprood, Dennis Croxell, Bobby Dell, Marc Hendricksen, Richard “Slugger” Labbe, Andy Pugh, Tim Rice, Jesse Sanders and Joe Zanolini.

TRG Motorsports would also like to thank Racehost.com for their support.

- TRG Motorsports, Press Release