FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20th, 2011

Bobby Labonte Racing Weathers Storm at Commonwealth 100
BLR Gets Ready to Race in Pennsylvania in Two Weeks with the Lucas Oil Series

Trinity, N.C. (April 20, 2011) - Bobby Labonte Racing (BLR) weathered the storm against Mother Nature and a solid field of World of Outlaws (WoO) competitors at the Virginia Motor Speedway during the Commonwealth 100 this past weekend.

The No. 44 Lucas Oil Dodge driven by Earl Pearson Jr. came into the weekend with high hopes and expectations. Pearson Jr. wouldn't let himself down after an impressive run in the second heat race. He placed fourth against a stellar field. Pearson Jr. started 14th in the feature. During the main event, Pearson Jr. raced in the top-15 during the entire race, and at the end of the 100-lap event, he crossed the line in the 13th position.

"It wasn't the finish we came here for, but it was really tough to pass," said Pearson Jr. after the event. "We were fast, and had a good heat race, but it was tough to pass in the main."

The No. 41 Red Buck Cigars Chevrolet team driven by Brad Neat was coming off two impressive runs in consecutive weekends, and they were hoping for much of the same at Virginia Motor Speedway. Neat raced in the third heat race. With such a stout field of drivers present, Neat raced his way up to the sixth position, but three spots out of a transfer spot. The finish placed Neat into the second B-main starting third. During the entire 20 lap B-main, Neat was under heavy pressure from Jamie Lathroum for the final transfer position. Neat finished fourth and missed the transfer spot.

However, this didn't spell the end of the weekend for Neat, as there was still a $3,000 to win non-qualifiers race on Sunday. The non-qualifiers race was run after the Commonwealth 100. Neat made his way to the track and dominated the 17-car event for the win.

"The team worked really hard yesterday and this morning to get our Red Buck Cigars Chevrolet where it needed to be to win today," said Neat after his win."This win means a lot to our team. It's disappointing not to be in the big show, but we'll take a win."

Next up for BLR is a trip due north up Interstate 81. The team sets its eyes on a doubleheader weekend for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS). The first stop will be Friday, April 29th as the LOLMDS rolls into the five-eighths mile oval, Bedford (Penn.) Speedway. Then on Saturday, April 30th, the LOLMDS heads to Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Marklesburg, Penn. for the second straight $10,000 to win event of the weekend. This marks the first doubleheader weekend on the LOLMDS schedule.