Pearson Looks to Defend Icebreaker Crown, Neat Eyes First Win of Season

Archdale, N.C. (March 23, 2010) - Bobby Labonte Racing (BLR) will travel to Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway this weekend for the "Indiana Icebreaker." The event is one of the most competitive on the Lucas Oil Dirt Series tour, garnering an average of 66 late model cars per race since 2006. The race will be tape delayed on SPEED and promises a $10,000 payday. Both BLR drivers finished inside the top-five in last season's "Icebreaker."

BLR team driver Earl Pearson Jr. is a two-time winner (2006, 2009) of the "Indiana Icebreaker."  In nine starts this season, the defending "Icebreaker" champion has tallied one win and seven top-10 finishes.  Pearson's No. 44 Lucas Oil team currently sits eighth in championship points.

Brad Neat, driver of the No. 41 Red Buck Filtered Cigars entry, is currently tied for 14th with one other driver in the Lucas Oil championship standings.  Neat took fourth-place in last year's "Icebreaker" and has one top-five finish this season.

Team Manager Jason Fitzgerald comments on this weekend's events:
 
"The 'Indiana Icebreaker' is a great race. Lots of cars enter this event, which means it's going to be very competitive. This is one of the races that everyone wants to win. It has a big purse, so it attracts lots of teams. It makes it all the sweeter when you do well because you know that you're racing against the best there is.

"We haven't had the finishes we were hoping for the last few weeks.  I know we can get things turned around this week, though.  Both Earl and Brad know this track well.  They've had great results at Brownstown in the past.  Last season, both guys ended up in the top-five. That's my goal for this year, to leave the track with both teams finishing in the top-five. Each driver is really confident this will be a good race for them.  That's half the battle sometimes, just knowing that you have what it takes to do well.

"Earl obviously has a great track record at Brownstown. He's a two-time champ there. The track really suits his driving style.  I know he's excited about returning. He really wants to win there for a third time. We've kidded around with him and said that if he gets another win in the 'Icebreaker' that we're going to change his nickname to 'Iceman.'

"I think Brad and the 41 team are just about to turn the corner and have a really good season.  They've struggled a little at the last few races, but we're going somewhere that Brad has done really well at.  I think a good finish at Brownstown will give him a lot of momentum going into the next race. They're a great team; they just haven't had the consistency they've needed.  This week should help get them on the right track."