Labonte bonds with new crew chief
Published: Sun, Mar. 02, 2008 12:30AM
Modified Sun, Mar. 02, 2008 02:05AM
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closeBefore heading for the sunshine in Las Vegas this week, NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Bobby Labonte and new crew chief Jeff Meendering spent some time playing in the snow.
Following the extended race weekend in Fontana, Calif., Labonte and Meendering, hired away from Hendrick Motorsports by Petty Enterprises over the winter, broke away from racing to spend a little time bonding.
The pair, along with team owner Richard Petty, visited the stock-car king's ranch in Alpine, Wyo., to ride snowmobiles and get to know each other better before heading to Las Vegas for today's UAW-Dodge 400. Labonte, the 2000 Cup champion, is entering his third season with the Petty team, and this is the second time he has taken part in a "team-building" exercise at the Wyoming getaway.
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"It's just beautiful out there," Labonte said. "We use this trip as a way to get together and talk about ways we can get the season started on the right foot. ... It's cool to see The King out there throwing snow around."
In his first two seasons with the Petty team, Labonte has finished 21st and 18th in the Cup points.
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