Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Bobby Labonte will miss Richmond race; Allmendinger to fill in



  Team press release

   2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte will not race the No. 47 BUSH'S Beans Toyota Camry this weekend at Richmond International Raceway after suffering three broken ribs in a cycling accident near his Trinity, N.C. home on the morning of Wednesday, August 28.

   “I am feeling a lot better, but I don’t want to put the race team in any compromising position this weekend,” said Labonte.  “It just makes more sense to focus on my rehab one more week to ensure that I’m ready to go at Chicago (Chicagoland Speedway) with no issues.  I plan to be back with the team then and back behind the wheel.”

   AJ Allmendinger is filling in for Labonte during the Federated Auto Parts 400 in Richmond, Va.

   "Bobby means a lot to the JTG Daugherty Racing team and to our sport," Allmendinger said. "For me, it's a tough situation. I do not want to get more races with the team because someone is injured. Bobby is a guy that I believe is a Hall of Famer and he is a champion. It's tough to have that type of injury. Hopefully, he gets better as soon as possible to get back into the No. 47 BUSH'S Beans Toyota."

   "We are all wishing Bobby a speedy recovery and look forward to having him back," crew chief Brian Burns said.

Who's ready for a road trip to the Bank of America 500?

 
  This year, Charlotte Motor Speedway has taken a road trip to another level with a unique sweepstakes that puts fans’ NASCAR knowledge to the test in a race to find prize packages hidden throughout the Charlotte region.

   The Road Trip to the Races Sweepstakes features 10 suitcases packed with everything fans need for a great road trip – four frontstretch tickets to the Bank of America 500, pit passes, four NASCAR driver hats, four NASCAR driver shirts and four free Coca-Colas at Charlotte Motor Speedway – plus a key that could start a brand new 2013 Toyota Camry during pre-race ceremonies at the Bank of America 500.

   The sweepstakes is already underway. Clues will be posted on www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway, on Twitter @CLTMotorSpdwy and www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/roadtrip in the morning. Then, the Charlotte Clear Channel radio stations – WRFX, WKKT, WEND, WLKO and WHQC – will announce the clues in morning and afternoon drive.

   The first person to determine the location and claim each suitcase will win all the prize elements and a chance to claim the Toyota Camry. Daily clues will be given every weekday through Oct. 4.