Post by dalejrfan on Jan 24, 2006 23:53:04 GMT -5
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Bobby Labonte had an early opportunity to gain some valuable track time at Texas Motor Speedway as they participated in a special two-day tire test session on Tuesday.
Earnhardt Jr. had a pair of top-10 finishes at Texas last year but finished the year 19th in the points and did not qualify for the Chase for the Nextel Cup. The team is looking to rebound strongly this season, especially with Tony Eury Jr. returning as crew chief in a full-time capacity.
"I was pretty optimistic last year going into the season," Earnhardt said. "The only thing different this year is I have my cousin working with me again. So, there is that comfort aspect and familiarity. It is easier to know what to expect this year, whereas last year, we were optimistic but uncertain about how well we were going to do."
While Earnhardt is adjusting to his new crew chief, Labonte is getting adjusted to a new ride for 2006.
After 11 seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing, the 2000 Cup Series champion joined Petty Enterprises this year to drive the No. 43 car that team owner Richard Petty made famous.
"It is exciting," Labonte said. "It is real meaningful if you are in Victory Lane with it. That is what we want to do. There are only a handful of cars that have that kind of meaning to it. Richard's car is one of them. But it isn't going to mean nearly as much unless you do something with it."
With NASCAR's new testing policy limiting Nextel Cup teams to six designated tracks (Daytona, Las Vegas, Lowe's in Charlotte, Richmond, Indianapolis, Homestead-Miami) at appointed dates during the season, Earnhardt and Labonte are using the two-day test to get dialed in for the two races at Texas.
Earnhardt is hoping they catapult him to the kind of year he had in 2004.
"We won six races that year," Earnhardt said. "Now I look at our team and we are better than we were then, and that was my best season. I think it is really important to know how your employees feel and that is the basis of your success. That is what we have to pay the most attention to. We [Dale Earnhardt Inc.] do a good job of that. I hope everyone in the company is fired up because I look to have a great season."
Labonte, like Earnhardt, is coming off a disappointing season but will look to rebound with a new organization in Petty Enterprises. He finished 24th in the championship standings last season and did not record a victory. Despite the struggles, it was still a difficult decision to leave Joe Gibbs Racing.
"It was hard to leave where I was," Labonte said. "It was not the easiest decision. At this point in time, I really wasn't looking forward to a change. But I would not have made the change if I didn't feel like it was the right thing to do in my heart. I am really excited about this opportunity and very grateful for the opportunity I had the past 11 years."
Labonte and Earnhardt will close out their test session Wednesday with another full day before heading to Las Vegas Motor Speedway next week for another test.
Earnhardt Jr. had a pair of top-10 finishes at Texas last year but finished the year 19th in the points and did not qualify for the Chase for the Nextel Cup. The team is looking to rebound strongly this season, especially with Tony Eury Jr. returning as crew chief in a full-time capacity.
"I was pretty optimistic last year going into the season," Earnhardt said. "The only thing different this year is I have my cousin working with me again. So, there is that comfort aspect and familiarity. It is easier to know what to expect this year, whereas last year, we were optimistic but uncertain about how well we were going to do."
While Earnhardt is adjusting to his new crew chief, Labonte is getting adjusted to a new ride for 2006.
After 11 seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing, the 2000 Cup Series champion joined Petty Enterprises this year to drive the No. 43 car that team owner Richard Petty made famous.
"It is exciting," Labonte said. "It is real meaningful if you are in Victory Lane with it. That is what we want to do. There are only a handful of cars that have that kind of meaning to it. Richard's car is one of them. But it isn't going to mean nearly as much unless you do something with it."
With NASCAR's new testing policy limiting Nextel Cup teams to six designated tracks (Daytona, Las Vegas, Lowe's in Charlotte, Richmond, Indianapolis, Homestead-Miami) at appointed dates during the season, Earnhardt and Labonte are using the two-day test to get dialed in for the two races at Texas.
Earnhardt is hoping they catapult him to the kind of year he had in 2004.
"We won six races that year," Earnhardt said. "Now I look at our team and we are better than we were then, and that was my best season. I think it is really important to know how your employees feel and that is the basis of your success. That is what we have to pay the most attention to. We [Dale Earnhardt Inc.] do a good job of that. I hope everyone in the company is fired up because I look to have a great season."
Labonte, like Earnhardt, is coming off a disappointing season but will look to rebound with a new organization in Petty Enterprises. He finished 24th in the championship standings last season and did not record a victory. Despite the struggles, it was still a difficult decision to leave Joe Gibbs Racing.
"It was hard to leave where I was," Labonte said. "It was not the easiest decision. At this point in time, I really wasn't looking forward to a change. But I would not have made the change if I didn't feel like it was the right thing to do in my heart. I am really excited about this opportunity and very grateful for the opportunity I had the past 11 years."
Labonte and Earnhardt will close out their test session Wednesday with another full day before heading to Las Vegas Motor Speedway next week for another test.