FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2013
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Bobby Labonte Racing Rebounds from Wrecks, Scores Top-10
Prepares for Three Races Labor Day Weekend
                       
TRINITY, NC (August 28) - Bobby Labonte Racing (BLR) showed incredible tenacity and determination in last week's Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events at Volunteer Speedway and Lawrenceburg Speedway. Despite having crashed its primary and back cars on the first day of a two-race schedule, the No. 44 team was able to repair a car and compete in both races. The team's hard work paid off, as Earl Pearson Jr. scored a seventh-place finish on Saturday night. It marked the team's 14th top-10 finish of the season.

Earl Pearson Jr. and crew began the weekend at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn. The team had high hopes for a great weekend, but things got off to a rough start. The front end of the No. 44 car was dragging during Pearson's heat race, causing him to wreck. Unable to finish the heat, the BLR crew members unloaded the backup car and worked hard to prepare it for the feature. Pearson Jr. had the No. 44 Lucas Oil Longhorn Chassis charging towards the front. He was running around 10th, when on Lap 12, a spin on the track caused a pile up. Pearson Jr. had no place to go and was hit in the rear, ending the night for Bobby Labonte Racing.

With both cars damaged, Pearson Jr., Matt Langston and Bryan Liverman loaded the wrecked vehicles up and headed back to the race shop. The team returned to the race shop around midnight and started repairs, working through the day with no sleep. The shop guys and crew members repaired one car, loaded it up and headed out to Lawrenceburg, IN.

There were 28 entrants on hand for the Whiskey City 50 at Lawrenceburg Speedway. Pearson Jr. fell short in qualifying and was forced to the rear for his heat race. However, he was able to finish his heat in sixth place, securing a spot in the Whiskey City 50 lap feature. Pearson Jr. started 12th and was headed towards the front, running as high as second place. Towards the end, his tires faded. The team chose a softer tire when they prepared the car and it cost them some spots. Pearson Jr. and the No. 44 Longhorn Chassis finished seventh.

"We had a rough start to the weekend. I'm proud of how all the guys and everyone worked hard on Friday to get us back ready to race," said Pearson Jr. "We were doing well in the feature at Lawrenceburg Speedway. We just needed a little different tire."

Bobby Labonte Racing has a full weekend ahead with three races during the Labor Day weekend. On Friday, August 30 the series will race at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, OH, on Saturday, August 31 at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, OH and finally on Sunday, September 1 at I-77 Raceway Park in Ripley, WV.  Pearson Jr. remains in fifth place in Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings, 460 points out of first place. For photos, team updates and news go to www.bobbylabonteracing.com. For live updates from the races each week, be sure to follow Earl Pearson Jr. and Bobby Labonte Racing on Twitter and Facebook.