FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2011

Bobby Labonte Racing Makes Most of Inaugural Texas Trip
Team Now Prepares for Indiana Icebreaker

Trinity, N.C. (April 5, 2011) - Bobby Labonte Racing (BLR) made the most of their inaugural visit to the Lonestar Speedway in Kilgore (Tex) this past weekend. Earl Pearson Jr. catapulted to sixth in Lucas Oil championship points just 70 behind current leader, Jimmy Owens. Brad Neat did not have the weekend he hoped for, but still is in a four-way tie for eleventh in championship points.

The No. 44 Lucas Oil Dodge team led by Earl Pearson Jr. started off the weekend qualifying 17th in his group. He then finished sixth in his heat race which delegated him into running a B-main. During the B-main, Pearson Jr. was able to race his way to a third-place finish which guaranteed him a starting position in the feature. During the 100-lap race, where he started 22nd, Pearson Jr. made frequent, early race pit stops to change tires due to a constantly changing track surface. This proved to be a beneficial move. Late in the race, with hard tires, Pearson Jr. was able to make up 18 positions en route to a fourth-place finish.

"The Lucas Oil crew made the choice to go on hard tires which proved to be the right call late in the race," said Pearson Jr. after the event. "The finish tonight was what we needed heading into Brownstown next weekend."

With the successful run, Pearson Jr. was able to leap to sixth in Lucas Oil points, just 10 points behind fifth place of Mike Marlar heading into Brownstown Speedway this weekend

The No. 41, Red Buck Cigars Chevrolet of Brad Neat started off the weekend with a seventh-place finish during heat race action. That placed him in the B-main. During the B-main, Neat couldn't find the proper handle to his car and finished sixth. The finish forced Neat to use a Lucas Oil Series points provisional to start the A-main. In the A-main Neat started the event in the 12th row and was able to advance his way to a thirteenth place finish.

"It was real tough tonight to get a grip on the track as the surface was changing nearly every lap," said Neat after the event. "We're just going to move on from this race."

The next stop for BLR is this weekend at Brownstown Speedway in Indiana for the postponed Lucas Oil Series Indiana Icebreaker. With the success that BLR has had over the last two weeks, both drivers are eager to get back on the track and in the championship hunt.

Earl Pearson Jr. is a defending winner of the Indiana Icebreaker with wins coming in both 2006 and 2009 at Brownstown Speedway.

"I always run really well at Brownstown" said Pearson Jr. "The track is always racy and it's a lot of fun to drive".

Neat is looking to rebound from the disappointment in Texas.

"Last year, we were able to place 11th in both races at Brownstown" said Neat. "It's still a track I need more experience on, but I feel like we can compete for the win."

Saturday's event is set to kick off with hot laps at 4:45 p.m. local time with qualifying immediately after. The Indiana Icebreaker pays $10,000 to win and $700 to start.