Bobby Labonte led 13 laps in the Target House 300. Credit: Autostock

Labonte uses Busch race as Cup test session

FONTANA, Calif. -- Bobby Labonte went to school on Saturday, using the Target House 300 at California Speedway as his classroom.

Apparently he passed the test.

After starting 22nd in only his second Busch Series appearance this season, Labonte spent just under half the race in the top 10 and finished a solid seventh.

But racing on Saturday wasn't about points or purses -- it was about learning something for Sunday's Pop Secret 500.

Bobby Labonte Credit: CIA Stock Photo

"I can't tell you everything I learned, but I did get 150 laps more experience," Labonte said. "I have been struggling and there are no secrets about that, so today was a good day for us. Hopefully it will carry on into tomorrow."

Labonte methodically worked his way through the field and spent the final half of the 150-lap race in the top 10.

After pitting on Lap 76, he was able to inherit the lead by Lap 118. A round of green-flag pit stops moved other competitors back in the field that had opted to stay out earlier.

On Lap 131, Labonte pitted and decided to take two right-side tires and gas, returning to action in eighth place.

A debris caution three laps later slowed the race and Labonte pitted with the remainder of the field on Lap 136. The crew mounted two left-side tires and a splash of gas.

After restarting in fourth, Labonte moved to third on Lap 141 and was trailing only Greg Biffle and Casey Mears when another debris caution slowed the field on Lap 144.

His car was slow to get up to speed for the final restart and he fell to seventh.

"The Banquet Chevrolet was pretty good today, and it has obviously been a long time since I have run a Busch race, so we had a good day," Labonte said.

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After qualifying a disappointing 37th on Friday in his Cup car, Labonte struggled in both practice sessions.

The best he could manage was the 30th-fastest time, so a solid team effort in Saturday's Busch race was the shot in the arm Joe Gibbs Racing was looking for to gain an edge on Sunday.

"These guys at Joe Gibbs Racing did a great job putting this car together at the Busch shop," Labonte said. "The Cup guys helped out, and we had a variety of other people here today helping out as well."

Labonte, who hasn't had a top-10 finish in the Nextel Cup Series since the Pepsi 400 at Daytona back in July, is currently ninth in the point standings, a mere point ahead of Ryan Newman -- and a slim margin of 47 points separates him from 15th.

Labonte's only other Busch Series appearance this season was at the O'Reilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway, when he drove for Richard Childress Racing, finishing 11th.