When the Superstar Racing Experience began its inaugural season last summer, the unknowns were limitless.
Between how the cars would handle, and which drivers would adapt to the custom-designed car the best, were yet to be seen.
However, with the second season closing in on the final two events, it’s clear that a former NASCAR Cup Series champion has taken a knack to the series, amidst a competitive resurgence.
Bobby Labonte, who won last week’s SRX race at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, heads to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo., with the points lead, and a comfortability that has him riding a wave of consistency.
“I think, obviously, short-track racing, I love it,” Labonte said. “I did it a long time ago, then the Cup racing, I kind of was really good at the big tracks. So now, I’m going back to the short tracks. I just feel like I’m probably more comfortable there. If Don (Hawk, SRX CEO) said, ‘Hey, we’re going to race Michigan tomorrow,’ I’d be like, ‘Ahh, probably wouldn’t be as good as it once was.’ I kind of feel like I’m paying attention to the competition and what my car feels like, and (what) I need to get out of it, make the right change to be consistent. But also, (I’ve) been fortunate enough to avoid, or not be a part of the wrecks, or get caught up in anything that would be detrimental to our finish. I think that’s one thing that I’ve just been really fortunate about. Sometimes I’m good at it, sometimes I’m not.”
Labonte has finished in the top five in all four SRX event this season. Last week, the 2000 Cup Series champion, earned his first career SRX victory.
“I was so excited about getting that win,” Labonte said. “Kind of like (Kenny) Schrader, we’ve done this, this is the 10th race in, and excited about getting that. Looking forward to the next two races. When I got out of the car, Marco (Andretti) told me, ‘Hey dude, I think you’re leading the points.’ And I’m like ‘Hey, that’d be awesome.’ I had to wait until somebody else told me, because I thought he might’ve been pulling my leg. But all in all, it means a lot, and I’m so excited and pumped up about the next two races and see where we land.”
Labonte’s consistency and success in the series shouldn’t come as a surprise. Along with the full SRX schedule, Labonte competes in the 12-race Southern Modified Auto Racing Teams Tour at short tracks throughout the Southeast.
“Right now, I feel like my senses are working good. The feel, the smell, the sight, the vision of what I want this to look like,” Labonte said. “There will be a point in time where I might get tired of that, I just don’t know when that’ll be. But right now, I’m really enjoying it. I’m like (Kenny) Schrader, I’m not running it as much as Schrader is, but I’m getting my fill. We’ve got a great modified team, and to be able to be part of this SRX program again this year, just really excited to be competitive, we’re really excited to be a part of it.”
Part of that growth of the SRX has been the competition level.
“I think it’s probably elevated it quite a bit,” Labonte said. “I kind of rolled in there, I think I’ve been to some of these race tracks before, and I thought, ‘well you know, maybe I’ll have an upper hand.’ But, it seemed like, as we talked about in the 12 laps of practice, I realized pretty quickly I don’t have an upper hand. It is intimidating just because you got these caliber drivers, I’m fans of, (I) admire all of them for their different skill levels and what they do. At the same time, to me, you go out there, you race against them and you are around these guys, and you’re sitting there trying to learn as much as you can.
“I definitely think when we all put on our helmets, we’re all really solid racers or hard racers trying to stay ahead of everybody else,” Labonte continued. “It does make you better. When you’re around people like that, that are so talented, you see them do things and I’m like, ‘Man, I got to get better than this.’ So that’s where it helps make me a little bit better than I was probably before I did it.”
Only two races stand in Labonte’s way of an SRX championship. However, both of those events are on dirt tracks.
With I-55 Speedway and Sharon (Ohio) Speedway set to be the final two events, Labonte’s toughest test will come on a surface he’s not as familiar with throughout his career.
“I think I’m a little bit better driver at it,” Labonte said. “At Knoxville last year, I thought I was good in practice, and I was terrible in the race. At Eldora I was pretty good in practice and better in the race. I think that once I get out there and get a feel for it and, hopefully, it’s the right thing, right feel for me, and I can learn as much from, obviously, David (Stremme), and Kenny (Schrader), and get the best 12 laps in, in practice.
“Hopefully, take some of that stuff that I have done in the past and apply it and hope for the best.”
Labonte’s confidence has given the 58-year-old a rejuvenated mindset, as he looks to close out the SRX championship. Even though Labonte isn’t sure how much longer he’ll race competitively, he’s content to soak it up.
“As long as I’m happy doing what I’m doing, I think that’s the main thing,” Labonte said. “Right now, I’m very happy and excited about it. I want to continue as long as I can, to a certain point where I won’t have that choice or won’t want to, I guess.”