FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2011
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Bobby Labonte Racing Ready to Move Forward
Team now Prepares for Doubleheader Weekend in South Carolina and Virginia

Trinity, N.C. (June 14) - Bobby Labonte Racing (BLR) came into the Dream 100 weekend with high hopes of capturing another victory in one of dirt late model racings marquee events at the famed Eldora Speedway. With $100,000 on the line, BLR knew they would have their work cut out for them as 91 cars entered into the Dream 100.

The No. 44 Lucas Oil Dodge of Earl Pearson Jr. began his night with a decent qualifying run among the competitors that registered for the $100,000 to win event. Pearson Jr. was placed in the first heat race which was slated to go 20 laps. The five-time Lucas Oil Series Champion pushed his Longhorn Chassis both high and low to make a pass but was unable to race his way into a transfer position finishing seventh.

The seventh-place finish placed Pearson Jr. on the pole for the C-main, but the decision was made to not run the event. Mechanical issues resulting from the heat race had the Lucas Oil crew thrashing to get the car fixed, but was unable to finish in time. Pearson Jr. did not make the call for the race which ended his night and dashed his hopes of winning another event at the famed Eldora Speedway.

The No. 41 Red Buck Cigars Chevrolet of Brad Neat kicked off his Dream 100 weekend on Friday night with one of his best qualifying attempts at Eldora Speedway. Neat was placed into a stacked second heat race and raced his way to a sixth-place finish among the 14 car starting field.

Neat began the B-main starting in the eighth position, but during the 20 lap race he fell back two positions crossing the finish line in the 10th position. Just like his BLR teammate, Neat was unable to qualify for the $100,000 to win feature event.

Now BLR prepares for another Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) doubleheader weekend which kicks off this Friday night at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, S.C. The LOLMDS then travels due north up Interstate 77 to the Fred Brown-owned Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Va.

Last year, the LOLMDS ran at Cherokee Speedway and sanctioned the "March Madness" event in which Pearson Jr. finished 19th after starting 23rd on a very dry, slick racetrack that proved hard to pass on. Neat also ran into the same trouble as he started 25 and raced his way to a 21st-place finish.

Wythe Raceway held its first ever LOLMDS event in May of last year and fans witnessed an amazing show put on by Pearson Jr. and Jimmy Owens. Pearson Jr. started the feature event on the outside pole but quickly raced to the front leading the first nine laps. Owens then made his move and passed Pearson Jr. on the inside to lead lap 10. Both cars pulled away from the field to nearly a full straightaway lead over third place. Owens and Pearson Jr. battled hard for the top spot with Owens coming out on top with Pearson Jr. finishing a close second.

Both BLR drivers now sit comfortably in the Top-10 in LOLMDS points with Pearson Jr. sixth and Neat seventh. Both drivers are separated by a mere 25 points which has team manager Jason Fitzgerald happy.

"It's good to see both Earl and Brad in the Top-10 in points," said Jason Fitzgerald, BLR team manager. "Both teams are working hard and pushing for a championship run as we head into the summer stretch of the LOLMDS schedule."

Gates open at 5pm Friday night with an autograph session taking place from 6-7 p.m. then hot laps begin at 7:30 p.m. Then on Saturday at Wythe Raceway, gates open at 3 p.m. with an autograph session being held from 5-6 p.m. and hot laps start at 7:30 p.m. All BLR fans, make sure you bring your t-shirts, hats, and whatever else you may have as Earl and Brad will be in the grandstands signing autographs for their fans.