Three champs join 2001 series

Tinton Falls, NJ - 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Bobby Labonte, 2000 IROC Champion Dale Earnhardt and 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Dale Jarrett were announced today as participants in the twenty-fifth anniversary season of the True Value International Race of Champions.

Labonte's stellar year in NASCAR Winston Cup competition fortified the 36-year old his second series invitation. He picked up his first True Value IROC win at Talladega last year and finished up fourth in final points.

Dale Earnhardt's second place finish in the NASCAR Winston Cup final points standing backed up the automatic invite for the reigning True Value IROC Champion. Earnhardt's fourth True Value IROC crown ties him with Mark Martin for the most series' championships.

Dale Jarrett returns for his fifth consecutive True Value IROC series. Jarrett placed fourth in the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup final points standing with two wins and 24 top-ten finishes, of which 15 were in the top-five. Jarrett placed ninth in 2000 True Value IROC competition.

The series begins on February 16 with race one at Daytona International Speedway and will be broadcast on ESPN Sunday, February 18 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Labonte, Earnhardt and Jarrett join previously announced Indy Racing Northern Light series Champion Buddy Lazier, fellow Northern Light series drivers Scott Goodyear, Eddie Cheever, Jr., and Mark Dismore. Also previously announced were NASCAR Busch Grand National Champion Jeff Green, and NASCAR Winston Cup drivers Jeff Burton and Ricky Rudd. Final driver selections will be announced next week.

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