Inside the Halls of Petty: Labonte to start 500th race

I don't think this weekend's race will be too much different than the 499 starts before it. Other than the fact that it is my 500th career start, I don't think I'll approach much differently. I'm looking forward to this weekend. It's pretty cool to have run in so many races. There aren't too many drivers that have been able to reach this mark and I feel fortunate to have been able to do it.

If you look at the list of drivers that have made 500 starts it's a pretty impressive list. My current boss and owner of the No. 43 Dodge is at the top of that list. That, of course, is "The King" Richard Petty. He has more than 1,000 starts. You hear that and you think, 'Wow, that's pretty impressive.' Kyle [teammate, Kyle Petty] has more than 800 starts. That is pretty amazing too. The list also has greats such as David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Benny Parsons, Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt and my brother [Terry] too. The opportunity to be in that same company is pretty humbling.

Inside Petty

Each week on NASCAR.COM, Robbie Loomis will take fans "Inside the Halls of Petty Enterprises." A championship-winning crew chief, Loomis has 26 victories atop the pit box and as Vice President of Operations oversees both Petty cars.

I started two Nextel Cup races with my own team back in 1991. I was competing for the Busch Series title that year, but ran two Cup races. The first was at Dover in June and that's where it all began. It wasn't anything grand at the time, but two years later I had my first full season with Bill Davis Racing. That was in 1993 and since that time I've been a full-time driver in the Nextel Cup Series.

So much has happened since then. The move to Joe Gibbs Racing and getting behind the No. 18 car was a big part of my career. We were runner-up to the championship in 1999 and then won it in 2000. Winning the Brickyard 400 in 2000 was pretty special. There have been a lot of good memories that have happened over the past 14 years and that makes time go by really fast. It makes it a lot of fun, too.

Being at Petty Enterprises and having my 500th career start in Richard's famed '43' is a memory that I can keep forever. You think about going to Richmond where the Petty name is so popular. The fairground is where Lee, Richard and Kyle have all won races. It's a pretty special place for them. The Cheerios / Betty Crocker Dodge has had a lot of success at this track, as have the Petty's. The best way to finish a 500th start is by parking the car in Victory Lane.

We are feeling better about our program right now too. Doug [crew chief, Doug Randolph] has come in and has made an immediate impact. The changes haven't been huge, but there have been the little things we needed to make that jump to the next level. We have finished eighth, ninth, and now 11th. That is helping us, and Doug is working to get us to take that next step, too. He is bringing the little changes to the team that has made us take a few steps the past three weeks.

That makes everyone feel good going to Richmond this weekend. I'm excited to start number 500 knowing that we have a lot of confidence on our side. We know that our Avenger program is pretty strong. We have liked our races with it. We have had good results with it and I'm ready to get to Richmond.

I want to take a moment before I get going to thank all my family, friends, fans and sponsors for helping me get to this point in my career. It's not just one person that makes this happen. It takes a lot of people. I hope we can give them something to cheer about this Saturday night.

See you in Victory Lane,
Bobby Labonte