Daytona 500: Bobby Labonte preview

Ask.com Racing -- Fast Facts

* Labonte finished the Budweiser Shootout 19th on Saturday night after being involved in a late-race accident.

* Labonte has 32 points-race starts at Daytona International Speedway and has completed 4,973 of 5,636 possible laps; an 88.2 percent consistency.

* Labonte has two pole awards at Daytona, one for the Daytona 500 (1998) and one in the Pepsi 400 race (1998).

* Labonte has five top-five and eight top-10 finishes at Daytona International Speedway with a best finish of second at the Daytona 500 (1998) and matched again in the Pepsi 400 race (1998).

* Labonte will begin the season 27th in points after a points transfer from the No. 38 Yates Racing Ford. By starting the season among the top 35 in points, the No. 96 Ask.com team is assured a starting position in the 51st Daytona 500.

* After an impressive qualifying effort on Sunday, the No. 96 Ask.com team will start fifth in the second heat of the Gatorade Duels to determine the starting order of the famed Daytona 500 on Sunday.

Daytona 500 Chassis: RK-624 Last outing: Talladega 2008, Pole Award, 27th Place Finish

Back Up Chassis: RK-527 Last outing: New Chassis

Bobby Labonte on racing at Daytona International Speedway in the Daytona 500:

"We had the chance to break the ice in the Budweiser Shootout last week at Hall of Fame Racing with a newly formed team and new sponsor in Ask.com. It was good to get in a Ford Fusion and get some track time with a Yates engine. I'm looking forward to the Gatorade Duels on Thursday and seeing how the (Daytona) 500 Ford Fusion travels in traffic. It's quick on its own and I can't wait to race the Daytona 500 for the 17th time. Todd Parrott and the crew are really working hard to get the No. 96 Ask.com Ford Fusion where I need it to have a shot at a win in the 500."

Crew chief Todd Parrott on racing at Daytona International Speedway in the Daytona 500:

"This track is really something special to me. My family has history here and I'm looking to make more history this week with the No. 96 Ask.com car and Bobby. Bobby and I work well together and I think we have the right Ford to have a top-five or even a win this week. This car sat on the pole in Talladega last year and we all saw it be quick in qualifying on Sunday."

-credit: hofr/yr