Archdale, N.C. (February 1, 2010) - The revamped Bobby Labonte Racing team is warmed up and looking for their first win of 2010 as it rolls into Tampa, Fla., this week for the first official events of the 2010 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season. Earl Pearson Jr. and Brad Neat will race four nights of the East Bay Raceway's DART Winternationals, Feb. 3 to 6, culminating with a $12,000-to-win event on Saturday.
Pearson Jr., driver of the No. 44 Lucas Oil Dodge, and Neat, driver of the No. 41 Red Buck Filtered Cigars Chevrolet and new addition to the BLR team, are coming off strong performances at last week's Super Bowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga. In three nights of competition, Pearson Jr. earned three top-10 finishes, and Neat earned two top-five finishes and one start from the pole.
The team looks forward to this week's action at the "Clay by the Bay," known for record-setting races and electrifying finishes, and where Pearson Jr. is a former winner.
Team Manager Jason Fitzgerald Comments on Opening Week and the events upcoming at East Bay Raceway:
"Well, we just came off three nights of racing in Georgia and I think we're pretty happy so far. Both cars were fast last week at Golden Isles, and that's what you're hoping for when unloading off the hauler for a new season. Earl and Brad both had shots to win and both ended up with some top-five and top-10 finishes. Brad has earned us our first pole for the team and for Red Buck this season. That was a nice accomplishment for Brad and his guys to open the season. We need to build from that this week at East Bay.
"This will be our second outing of the season as an expanded team. We are still coming together and learning to mesh. Saying that, we proved last week our equipment is good, so it will all come together. That was our first weekend of a long season. Any time you expand and bring additional guys to a team there will be learning process for everyone. It will just take some time for everyone to create that winning chemistry.
"Yeah, we're looking forward to East Bay and kicking off the Lucas Oil Series. It is an extremely racy facility. There is always good racing no matter what and the series puts on a good show for the fans. Earl has had good luck there every year and Brad has had decent finishes, too.
"We need to start strong in the Series with both teams. The goal is to bring back the championship trophy to Bobby Labonte Racing. That starts this week. We want to win every series race, but know that's not probable. If we can't win, we want to finish and collect top-five and top-10 finishes. I know both Earl and Brad are ready to do just that."
About Bobby Labonte Racing:
BLR is located in Archdale, N.C., and owned by 2000 NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte. The team was formed in 2007 and immediately won back-to-back Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championships. The team will become a two-car operation in 2010 with the addition of driver Brad Neat. The organization is sponsored by Red Buck Filtered Cigars, Lucas Oil, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazel Race Fuels, Hank Thomas Performance,Coca-Cola, ALLSTAR, Tiger Rear Ends, BERT, Butlerbuilt, Hyperco, SHY, Wilwood, Bell, Wiles Drive Shafts, Mason Racin, Racing Optics, T&T Energy, Cornett Racing Engines, Sweet, TWM, Dyers Top Rods, Weld Wheels, Hoosier Tire, PRC, Mechanix Wear, Braswell Carburetors, Larry Wallace Engines, ASI Racewear, Xtreme Graphics and WD Enterprises.
Pearson Jr., driver of the No. 44 Lucas Oil Dodge, and Neat, driver of the No. 41 Red Buck Filtered Cigars Chevrolet and new addition to the BLR team, are coming off strong performances at last week's Super Bowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga. In three nights of competition, Pearson Jr. earned three top-10 finishes, and Neat earned two top-five finishes and one start from the pole.
The team looks forward to this week's action at the "Clay by the Bay," known for record-setting races and electrifying finishes, and where Pearson Jr. is a former winner.
Team Manager Jason Fitzgerald Comments on Opening Week and the events upcoming at East Bay Raceway:
"Well, we just came off three nights of racing in Georgia and I think we're pretty happy so far. Both cars were fast last week at Golden Isles, and that's what you're hoping for when unloading off the hauler for a new season. Earl and Brad both had shots to win and both ended up with some top-five and top-10 finishes. Brad has earned us our first pole for the team and for Red Buck this season. That was a nice accomplishment for Brad and his guys to open the season. We need to build from that this week at East Bay.
"This will be our second outing of the season as an expanded team. We are still coming together and learning to mesh. Saying that, we proved last week our equipment is good, so it will all come together. That was our first weekend of a long season. Any time you expand and bring additional guys to a team there will be learning process for everyone. It will just take some time for everyone to create that winning chemistry.
"Yeah, we're looking forward to East Bay and kicking off the Lucas Oil Series. It is an extremely racy facility. There is always good racing no matter what and the series puts on a good show for the fans. Earl has had good luck there every year and Brad has had decent finishes, too.
"We need to start strong in the Series with both teams. The goal is to bring back the championship trophy to Bobby Labonte Racing. That starts this week. We want to win every series race, but know that's not probable. If we can't win, we want to finish and collect top-five and top-10 finishes. I know both Earl and Brad are ready to do just that."
About Bobby Labonte Racing:
BLR is located in Archdale, N.C., and owned by 2000 NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte. The team was formed in 2007 and immediately won back-to-back Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championships. The team will become a two-car operation in 2010 with the addition of driver Brad Neat. The organization is sponsored by Red Buck Filtered Cigars, Lucas Oil, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazel Race Fuels, Hank Thomas Performance,Coca-Cola, ALLSTAR, Tiger Rear Ends, BERT, Butlerbuilt, Hyperco, SHY, Wilwood, Bell, Wiles Drive Shafts, Mason Racin, Racing Optics, T&T Energy, Cornett Racing Engines, Sweet, TWM, Dyers Top Rods, Weld Wheels, Hoosier Tire, PRC, Mechanix Wear, Braswell Carburetors, Larry Wallace Engines, ASI Racewear, Xtreme Graphics and WD Enterprises.
