FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2011

Bobby Labonte Racing Gearing Up for 35th Annual DART Winternationals
'Pearson Jr. On Quest to Repeat.
Neat Looking to Start Season Off Strong at East Bay.'

Trinity, N.C. (February 8, 2011)- Bobby Labonte Racing (BLR) is making final adjustments to their cars before the 35th Annual DART Winternationals kicks off at East Bay Raceway Park in East Bay, FL on February 8th. The two car team of Earl Pearson Jr. and Brad Neat will be looking to start off the Lucas Oil Late Model Series season on a high note.

Last year at the DART Winternationals, Pearson Jr. and the No. 44 Lucas Oil Dodge team were able to finish in the top-10 in all four races he entered, including a win on the second night. The win earned Pearson Jr. and BLR a sweet $10,000 payday beating out 57 of the best super late model drivers in the country. Pearson Jr. was able to overtake Scott Bloomquist coming to the white flag and fend him off for the win on the Thursday night portion of the Winternationals.

Brad Neat and the No. 41 Red Buck Chevrolet team were able to place a respectable third the same night Pearson Jr. was able to capture the win. The DART Winternationals was the first true test for Neat with BLR and he exceeded above and beyond expectations with the finish.

This past weekend, BLR made the trip to Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. Fans witnessed Neat qualify third-fastest and Pearson Jr. clocked the ninth best in time trials. In heat race action, Neat was able to put his Longhorn Chassis out front, and stay out front for the heat race win. Pearson Jr. was then able to pilot his Longhorn Chassis home to the fourth position in his respective heat race. As the cars lined up for the feature event, rains came, drenching the entire field and postponing the event until Wednesday, November 2nd.

After being washed out at Screven with two very successful heat race runs, BLR was heading to Golden Isles Speedway in New Brunswick, Ga. with high hopes and aspirations for the next two nights of racing. Sadly, yet again, Mother Nature would take the checkered flag on both nights of racing postponing the events until March 11 and 12. The teams are looking forward to some dry weather this weekend.

Comments from Team Manager Jason Fitzgerald Heading Into East Bay:

"With three straight nights of rainouts, BLR has decided to make the trip to East Bay Raceway Park two days early to start competing on Tuesday, February 8. With all the rain we've been having lately, we haven't had a chance to get our cars on the track in a competitive race since last November."

"With the change in the schedule, BLR will be racing for the next twelve consecutive nights in the state of Florida. This will make for a long next two weeks but with $101,000 total up for grabs if you can win all 12 nights, it surly could be worth the while."