(4.2.11) ED GIBBON'S MEMORIAL
Justin Labonte and his #44 Dirt Late Model team headed to Fayetteville Motor Speedway in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Saturday night, April 2nd, for the annual running of the 'Ed Gibbons Memorial.' The Carolina Clash Series would draw in 31 cars for the event, paying $4,000 to the winner. Justin qualified mid-pack in time trials and later finished sixth in his heat race, forcing him to run the B-Main. Labonte would start on the front row of the B and go on to win, earning him a spot in the 40-lap main event. The Trinity, North Carolina native would have his work cut out for him, starting deep in the A-main and having to deal with less the stellar track conditions. After starting in the tail, the #44 machine would have to settle for an 18th place finish.
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(3.14.11) LABONTE SEASON OPENER
The Labonte Racing team made the trip to Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, North Carolina on Saturday evening, March 12th, for the Carolina Clash Late Model Series season Opener. Justin Labonte's qualifying attempts would have him starting inside the fourth row in his heat race, he would finish ninth. Labonte than found himself deep in the Consi, were the top two would transfer to the $4,000 to win Skyler Trull Memorial race, unfortunately the 44 car would finished 3rd, one spot short of the transfer, ending their night.
"We were a little slow out of the box” Labonte said. "But we worked on our Longhorn Chassis and got it were it was feeling good, just came up a little short in our Consi. "
(9.18.10) TOUGH LUCK FOR LABONTE
Dublin, NC: Justin Labonte and his #44 Dirt Late Model team invaded the Friendship Speedway in Elkin, North Carolina on Saturday night, September 18. The Carolina Clash Late Model Series hosted a 40 lap, $4,000 to win main event. Justin timed in ninth fastest in qualifying, which earned him the inside fifth row starting spot in the A-Main.
"It felt nice to be back at the track and our new Longhorn Chassis was feeling good, hated to see our night end the way it did" Justin said. Unfortunately, Labonte would be collected in a wreck on lap 25, ending his night early.
Next racing for Labonte Racing will be Saturday, September 25th and Dublin Speedway in Dublin, North Carolina.
(5.7.10) Double Header Weekend for Labonte
Lawndale, NC: Justin Labonte and the #44 Dirt Late Model team were back in action over the weekend, scheduled for a pair of events in the Carolina Clash Series. Up first was a trip to the newly configured Cleveland County Speedway in Lawndale, NC, on Friday May 7th. 31 cars would sign in to try and make the 24-car starting field for $4,000 to win, feature event.
Labonte qualified sixteenth fastest and later finished third in his competitive heat race. After starting 16th on
the grid in the 40-lap main event, the Trinity, North Carolina drivers night would be cut short after the car
received heavy front end damage, from contact with another competitor.
The damage would prove to be a lot more then the team anticipated. After returning to the pits and further
investigating, a small hole had drained all the water from the radiator, resulting in a cooked engine and the team having to forfeit the following nights race at 311 Speedway.
(4.10.10) Top Ten Finish at Fayetteville
Fayetteville, NC: Justin Labonte and the Labonte Racing team headed to Fayetteville Motor Speedway in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Saturday, April 10th, for the 2nd annual Ed Gibbons Memorial. The 40 lap, $4,000 event marked the third race of the season for Labonte.
After setting fast time at this race last year, Justin would find him self 14th fastest out of the 30 cars signed in, putting him on the front row of the second heat race. He would go on to win his heat, which earned him a 6th row, outside starting spot for the feature event.
The 40 lap race saw numerous cautions in the early stages, but Justin was able to avoid the wrecks, keep his nose clean and race his way to a solid 6th place finish, moving him up to in the point standings. Next racing action for LRI will be on May 7th at Cleveland County Speedway in Lawndale, NC.
(3.27.10) Clash Series heads to the "Daytona of Dirt"
Madison, NC: The #44 team entered its second Carolina Clash Series race of the year on Saturday night at 311 Fast Tracks, in Madison, NC. Justin Labonte would qualify 8th fastest out of the 35 cars signed in for the evenings events.
His qualifying run would earn him a 4th row outside starting spot for the $4,000 to win feature event. After extreme rains had moved through the area the evening before, drivers had to battle some rougher then usual track conditions. Justin’s car fell victim on lap 10, as his nose piece would be torn off, bringing out a caution. He would pit several times, for crew to repair the front end damage. He was able to stay on the lead lap and bring home a 12th place finish.
Labonte Racing resumes racing action on Saturday April 10th at Fayetteville Motor Speedway in Fayetteville, NC for a 40 lap $4,000 to win Ed Gibbons Memorial race.
(3.20.10) Tough Luck for Labonte in Season Opener
Gastonia, NC: The Carolina Clash brought its 11th season underway at the 10th annual Skyler Trull Memorial at Carolina Speedway this past Saturday. Justin Labonte, driver of the #44 Dodge was ready to debut his new car for the 2010 season in front of the record breaking crowd.
Labonte started the night qualifying 22nd but was able to make it into the main event by finishing fifth in the first heat. Starting 19th Labonte knew he would have to make his move quickly. By the 20th lap of the 40 lap race Labonte had moved up into 8th. Shortly after the half way point Labonte and the driver of the # 21 car were involved in a major accident that sent them both spinning out of control into the inside wall. Labonte was unable to finish but was credited with a 15th place finish.
Having a wreck midway through the race is always disappointing. I am just glad to see that our hard work in the off season is going to pay off. Moving up 9 positions in only 20 laps is a good way to get things started,” said Labonte.
Labonte’s next race will be at 311 Fast Track in Madison, North Carolina this weekend, March 27th.
(2.26.10) Labonte Gears up for a New Dirt Track Season
Trinity, NC: Justin Labonte, driver of the #44 Dodge, has made time for work and play during the off season of the Carolina Clash Dirt Track Series. Labonte is anxiously awaiting the start of the season after finishing eighth in the points standings in his rookie season last year.
Labonte was able to spend some time during the off season on the family’s ranch in Texas for a bit of rest and relaxation. Justin is not only steeped in the family’s racing history, but is also an avid hunter and fisherman.
The former NASCAR Nationwide Series driver made the jump to dirt track racing part time in 2008 and full time in 2009. It’s been a family affair with father, Terry and grandfather, Bob heavily involved under the hood and in the hauler. There has also been some serious work in the garage over the off season.
The #44 team will be debuting all new cars for the 2010 season. "We've made a lot of changes to our program over the off season and I'm anxious to see how it will all play out. I'm ready to get this season started," said Labonte on his outlook for 2010.
The first race of the season for Labonte will be in Gastonia, North Carolina at the Carolina Speedway on March 13th with the Carolina Clash Series. For updates, race recaps, pictures, and all other things Justin Labonte check out his new website at www.JustinLabonte.com
