This pole represents the 23nd pole of Labonte's Winston Cup career and first at the 3/4 mile facility. As he did last week, Labonte edged out teammate Jeff Gordon, this time by only a margin of .041 seconds. The third Hendricks Motorsport's driver Kenny Schrader placed in the 13th position.

Labonte has had the car to beat at both the Daytona 500 and the Goodwrench Service 400. He led the most laps at both events.

But in both races. But he's been beat by garbage. At Daytona a plastic bag somehow got sucked on to the back if the air cleaner and eventually cut off the air flow to the engine. There wasn't anything wrong with the engine once the bag was removed - but the time in the pits cost him a chance at the famed 500.

Last weekend, the engine in the Kellogg's Monte Carlo overheated after a piece of garbage became attached to the front grill, again cutting off the air flow - but this time it was terminal.

The two poor finishes have put Labonte 30th in the Winston Cup championship hunt, 18 positions lowee than he was at this time last year.

Last year in this race, Labonte started in the 24th position and recorded his second consecutive Richmond victory - he had previously won the 1994 fall, Miller Genuine Draft 400.

The fall race in 1995 was won by Dale Earnhardt, winner last week at Rockingham, and current Winston Cup points leader (he is tied with Dale Jarrett, they both have 355 points).

Labonte has a shot at the Unocal bonus of $98,800. The bonus is paid to the driver that starts a race on the pole - then goes on to victory lane. $7,600 is added to the fund each week, which rollsover to the next race if it isn't won.

The STP Grand Prix driven by Bobby Hamilton is next on the grid in the third starting position. Hamilton in the lead at the time, was duelling with Dale Earnhardt to maintain his position when the two made contact. Hamilton's resulting kiss with the with the wall took him out of contention for the win.

Notes:

Ernie Irvan was forced to the backup Texaco Havoline Ford due to a run in with the wall during practice. He had just enough time to get a couple of laps on it before qualifying - but still struggled to a 39th position.

David Green is on standby for Pennzoil driver Johnny Benson. Benson is suffering from pneononia and is unsure if he will be able to complete the 400 lap race. Benson did qualify the car - in the 32nd spot.

As expected, Dick Trickle qualified the HealthSource Ford and will drive it on Sunday if he can improve on his 40th position in second round qualifying. Allen wrecked last Sunday result in a brief spell of unconciousness and a broken shoulder. He spent the week in hospital, but has now been released and is doing as well.

Randy MacDonald, the Canadian Rookie of the Year contender sontinues to struggle. He failed to qualify last weekend in his first event of the season and will have to find a lot of speed before second round qualifying as he is the 43rd and last spot on the grid.

Another newcomer to Winston Cup garage area is Robby Faggart. He is attempting to qualify for his first Winston Cup race. Driving the #02 Miles Motorsport Monte Carlo, he too will have to improve on hs 41st fastest speed if he hopes to make his race debt,

Geoff Bodine, qualified the QVC Thunderbird in the 19th position. Bodine suffered broken ribs from a wreck in the Daytona 500 and had brother Todd qualify the Ford last week and also had him take over the driving chores early in the race. He will start the Pontiac Excitement 400, but Todd will be in the wings if required.

TNN and MRN coverage of the Pontiac Excitement 400 begins at 1:00 p.m. (EST) Sunday.