NASCAR WCUP: Thoughts from Bobby Labonte, Brickyard 400
5 August 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
(WHAT MAKES THE BRICKYARD 400 SUCH A BIG RACE?) "It pays a lot of money. That's one thing, and that's a serious thing. "But the track has just been here for so long. The Indianapolis 500 has been the biggest race ever, when you look at it as far as the spectator's point of view, for years. So you've got to figure that all that plays into it.
"I guess that's the reason why. It's not that we're here. It's not that we've done anything. It's the place, the time, and how long it's been here. It's everything."
(CAN THIS RACE SERVE AS A TURNING POINT IN ESTABLISHING WHO IS THE DRIVER TO BEAT FOR THE WINSTON CUP TITLE THIS YEAR?) "I don't know. I don't think this race can do that. It could be any race. It could be Martinsville. It's still 185 points (to lead the most laps and win)."
(DOES MASTERING THIS TRACK SEEM EASY TO HIM?) "Not really. It's four distinct corners that are pretty hard, so it's not easy by any means. We just work real hard. It's no different than what makes us good at a lot of other places. We have a good race car, a good feel. Everything is good as far as getting to that point on Friday afternoon or Saturday afternoon to get to the race; to make the right changes to get the car right for the race. I don't think here is different than anywhere else."
(ON COMPARING THE DAYTONA 500 TO THE BRICKYARD 400) "I don't compare them. I guess in terms of prestige, maybe you can that way. But it doesn't really matter. Why try to compare? It's no different than winning at Martinsville or winning at Michigan. They're two totally different deals."
(ON LEADING THE POINTS SINCE APRIL 30) "It really doesn't matter whether we're leading or not leading. We've got the same focus for the rest of the season. Whether we're sitting fifth in points or whether we're sitting first, our goal is to be first at the end, not necessarily right now. But we've got work hard to get to where we want to be at the end by working right now, and working to get everything right.
"Nobody brings up points in our shops, except for when we get to the racetrack and the media does it - not saying that's right or wrong - I'm just saying that we're trying to go week to week."
(ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TRACK POSITION TOMORROW) "Track position is very important nowadays, and on a track like this it's really important. If you have good track position, you could possibly win, of course. At a place like Michigan it might not be quite as important because the track is wider and it's banked. Here you don't have that luxury and you might not have the opportunities to pass. So it's probably more important here than some other places, but no different than some other places, too."
Text provided by Al Larsen
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