SRX: Bobby Labonte holds off Andretti to win in Nashville

NASHVILLE — From the time he joined the Superstar Racing Experience in 2021, Bobby Labonte had racked up top-five finishes and finishes on the podium like clockwork. But for all that, the 2000 NASCAR Cup Series champion had been missing an SRX checkered flag — until now.

After leading every single lap in the main event, Bobby Labonte aggressively held off his most serious challenge from Marco Andretti and drove away over the final laps to win at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Labonte’s victory is his first in the Camping World SRX Series, and it marks his first win at Nashville Fairgrounds since he won a NASCAR Busch Series race at the track in March 1996.

In a track-position heavy race, the front proved to be the place to be throughout the night. Josef Newgarden and Cole Williams led every lap in the first two Heats, and Labonte showed the way throughout the 75-lap main event. But it wasn’t without a challenge from Paul Tracy, nor from Marco Andretti.

On a late restart, Andretti was able to fire off enough to get a bead on Labonte for the lead, and he looked to have the chance he needed to take the lead entering Turn 3. But Labonte used the open space beneath Andretti’s car to muscle his way back to the lead, which he never relinquished.

Although he has been the model of consistency throughout the history of SRX, Labonte admitted in Victory Lane that he didn’t think he was ever going to win in the series — but a little family pressure after the son of nephew Justin Labonte won a quarter midget race earlier today helped him get the winning edge.

“This is so intimidating with these drivers. I’m telling you, I get nervous. I’m gonna puke with about 10 to go like ‘Oh God, no more cautions,'” Labonte told CBS Sports. “Marco and Paul and all these guys … It’s just so hard. It’s not easy. Maybe I made it look a little easy tonight, but it wasn’t easy.”

Labonte’s win did more than just validate his consistency over the course of SRX’s existence; It also gave him the SRX points lead with two races remaining. Labonte now leads Marco Andretti by three points, followed by Ryan Newman (-5), Tony Stewart (-31) and Greg Biffle (-37).

Nashville Fairgrounds marked the last asphalt race of the 2022 season, as the final two races of the season will take place on dirt. The first of those will be at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. next Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Results

1. Bobby Labonte

2. Marco Andretti

3. Matt Kenseth

4. Paul Tracy

5. Helio Castroneves

6. Ryan Newman

7. Josef Newgarden

8. Michael Waltrip

9. Greg Biffle

10. Ryan Hunter-Reay