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TaxSlayer News Archive:
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TaxSlayer Racing News
Long Pond, PA., (July 28, 2010)


Bobby Labonte will be behind the wheel of the No. 71 TaxSlayer.com/TRG Motorsports/Chevrolet Impala SS for this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 to be run at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, August 1.

Bobby LabontePocono, known as The Tricky Triangle, presenting a unique challenge to driver and crew. The shape of this fast track is unlike any other on the Sprint Cup Series schedule. Labonte, the 2000 Sprint Cup Champion, has posted three wins at Pocono.

"I had a span of about four years there where we just hit on the right set-up of combinations at Pocono," Labonte said. "I like the race track. It is one of the most challenging tracks we go to because the three corners are different. It is hard to set the car up for Pocono. It is unique. My success there is based upon having the just right set-up on the car."

Labonte points to the Turn Three as the key feature on the track for the set-up his TaxSlayer.com Chevy.

"Everyone points to Turn Three as the corner where you really need the car to handle. I don't disagree with that point. If you get Turn Three right it helps you to carry speed down the long front straight. Turn Three is the most important corner followed by turns two and one."

Drafting plays a role, but handling will rule the day on Sunday.

#71 TaxSlayer.com Chevy"The field tends to get spread out in the race. The draft will play a role down the front straight. It is not like Daytona or Talladega as far as drafting goes. If you fall back it is hard to get caught back up. If you are close enough to somebody it will help you a little bit. You just have to have the right set-up on the car. We need to be fairly close with the handling package when the race starts. I have been able to make some changes during the race work, but with these new cars is it is harder to fine tune it, especially during the race, than it was with the old cars."


Kevin Buckler, team principal, is ready for his team to have a strong weekend.

"I am looking for Bobby to help us have a very strong run at Pocono this weekend," Buckler said. "We have done a good job in qualifying the last couple of races and we need to carry that speed over to the race and get a good result. Bobby has a lot of miles at Pocono and really knows how to get around that crazy layout. Dan (Stillman, crew chief) and the guys will put the best piece we have under Bobby this weekend. We have had our sports car programs in high gear this season. We won last weekend at Lime Rock and are leading the points in the American Le Mans Series GTC class. We are also in the hunt for the championship in the Grand-Am Rolex GT Series. We are hungry to have our Sprint Cup program leading the charge with our sports car teams. It is great to have the TaxSlayer.com group back onboard again this weekend."


The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 will be televised live on ESPN starting at 1:00 p.m. ET, pre-race stating at noon. Qualifying will be live on the SPEED Channel, Friday, July 30 at 3:30 p.m. ET.


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TaxSlayer Racing News

Labonte Drives TaxSlayer.com Chevy to Crash Filled 23rd at Talladega
Talladega, AL., (April 25, 2010)


Talladega, AL, (April 25, 2010) - Bobby Labonte finished the No. 71 TaxSlayer.com/TRG Motorsports/Chevrolet Impala SS in 23rd position in today's running of the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. The race witnessed eight caution periods and finished after three attempts at a green-white-checker.

Labonte wasted no time in motoring to the front from his 32nd starting position. The grid was set based on owner points as inclement weather on Saturday had the speedway closed. From the start the Texan was able to run in the front drafting pack. As the team cycled through pit stops, using neighboring teams to pit with, Labonte ran as high as second place. With the race coming into the final laps Labonte was forced to play catch-up after falling slightly back due to lack of drafting help. On lap 175 of what became a 200 lap race, Labonte was spun off of Turn Two by an over aggressive drafting partner. The team was able to get the No. 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevy out on the lead lap with another realistic shot at a top finish. On the first attempt of the green-white-checker finish Labonte was caught-up in a wreck between Turns Three and Four. Once again the TaxSlayer.com crew was able to keep the car on the lead lap after several pit stops to tape up the damage.

"The car was good at the beginning of the race," Labonte said. "I was able to keep it in the draft and had guys that I could run with to stay up with the front pack. The car was fast up until three to go. Toward the middle of the race the 24 and 48 pulled up beside me and that just bogged the car down a lot and really slowed me up. I got spun out after I lost the draft when the car behind just tried to help too much. When you fell back you just couldn't get a run without the right help. I passed the 19 car going into One and Two and then he a had a heck of a head of steam coming up the back stretch, I tried to block him by staying in the middle and then the 59 went to the outside and all of a sudden the 39 came down in front of me and we were in the wreck. We didn't need that to happen.

There really wasn't much difference from the beginning of the race to the end as far as the car. At the beginning we were in the front and I think some guys were laying back. At the end everyone starts to come and that is when you need to go. It is tough to say what happened. Why was the No. 1 car so bad at the beginning and ended up second. The answer is that is Talladega. We have a long week in front us. We don't have a sponsor for Richmond, so we need some help for next week."

Kevin Buckler, TRG Motorsports team principal, hoped for a better result.

"We had our best finish of tenth here in the fall," Buckler said. "In that race we were able to run clean and take advantage of the wrecks at the end. Today was the opposite. Bobby was really doing well the first three-quarters of the race. The team was performing great pit stops, we had cars that would pit with us to get back up to speed and we looked good. Just when it was go time we got into some trouble with the first spin and then involved in that last big wreck. I really liked the team work today and running upfront, but not the result. We don't have Richmond sponsored for next weekend so we are working hard on that right now. We got some really incredible results for our sponsors the last few weeks so we hope we can continue that onto next weekend."

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will travel to Richmond International Raceway for the Crown Royal presents the Heath Calhoun 400 to be run Saturday, May 1.

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TaxSlayer Racing News
Atlanta, GA., (March 7, 2010)


• Bobby Labonte returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway as the track's most winning active driver.

• The Kobalt Tools 500 will mark Labonte's 24th start at Atlanta Motor Speedway where he's scored six wins, 12 top-5's and 13 top-10's.

• Just as tax season moves into full swing, TaxSlayer.com has added the Kobalt Tools 500 to its list of primary sponsorship races and will be feature

• The Kobalt Tools 500 will mark Labonte's 24th start at Atlanta Motor Speedway where he's scored six wins, 12 top-5's and 13 top-10's.


Behind the Wheel with Bobby Labonte

"Last weekend, luck just wasn't on our side, but I can't wait to get to Atlanta. It's a track that I really love racing on and I've been fortunate to have success there. There's just something about the track, with the banking and its layout that makes it really fast. I've always thought it was a lot of fun and it really just suits my driving style."

"I've feel very lucky to have the success that I've had at Atlanta and I've got some really special memories there. There are definitely races that I should have won, but then I've won some when I wasn't necessarily the strongest car. One of my favorite moments there is the year that I won the race and my brother, Terry, won the Championship. It was really cool for both of us to be in Victory Lane with our parents there to celebrate with both of us."


From the Box – Doug Randolph

"Atlanta is one of my favorite tracks. The driver can move around, it's great racing for the fans because cars can go side by side in the corners and the tires give up fast so the cars are slipping and sliding at 200 miles an hour."

"Atlanta is a great track because you've got two or three grooves that the cars can run in, so you're never going to see cars run single-file around the track all day. Bobby's got a great history at the track so I think it's going to be a great weekend for us."


From the Owner – Kevin Buckler

"TaxSlayer.com has been a really great partner for us and I'm very happy they've decided to come on-board for Atlanta. Getting a solid return on investment in this economy is key for any business and this proves that NASCAR sponsorship really does work. TRG will continue to build on this model and show what a smart business decision it is to partner our team. It is truly a team here and we all win together!"


Bobby Labonte – At Atlanta Motor Speedway

Starts:34
Wins:6
Top 5s:12
Top 10s:13

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TaxSlayer Racing News
Fontana, CA., (February 22, 2010)


BOBBY LABONTE BRINGS
27th-PLACE FINISH IN THE AUTO CLUB 500


NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte and the No. 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet crossed the finish line in 27th position after a long day of competition in the Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway in California. Despite the mid-pack finish, Bobby and the team fought hard for every position throughout the day. The team leaves Fontana in 25th place in the points standings, tops among all of the independent teams.

Labonte contended with rain, clouds, temperature changes and a race car that didn't seem respond to any adjustments for 500 miles in the second race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Despite a variety of air pressure changes, shock and track bar adjustments, the 71 Chevrolet remained tight throughout the corners of the 2-mile speedway, preventing Labonte from gaining the full speed he needed to contend for the lead.

"It was a long day for us and the changing track conditions just didn't seem to help our cause," Labonte said. "Doug (Randolph) threw everything he could at this thing, but we just couldn't ever find the grip we needed."

The TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet began the day in 33rd-position and quickly gained several spots. An unlucky break brought the caution out immediately after a green-flag pit stop on lap 131 and kept Labonte one lap behind the race leaders, but he regained his spot on the lead lap after being the recipient of the "lucky dog" on the following race caution. For the second time in the race, the No. 71 went one lap down after pitting immediately before the caution flag was waved for rain over the speedway and was never able to recover its position.

"It just wasn't our day to catch a break with the caution flags," crew chief Doug Randolph said. "Bobby drove the wheels off of that thing, and we had fast pit stops, but we just weren't able to get it where we needed it to be."

Team owner Kevin Buckler knew the finish wasn't ideal for his young team, but has confidence in the crew's ability to turn the tables for next week.

"It's tough to come off of a solid finish at Daytona and battle a car all day the next week, but Bobby did a great job," Buckler said. "We caught a few bad breaks, but we're going to Vegas next week and I've got to believe lady luck will be on our side there. We have new cars now and have our expectations set high. We had a really strong run there last year and I know this TRG Motorsports crew will be ready to hit the ground running as soon as we unload."

The TaxSlayer.com team will continue its west coast tour on Sunday, Feb. 28th when NASCAR visits Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race will be broadcast live on FOX with coverage beginning at 3:00 Eastern time.



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TaxSlayer Racing News
Fontana, CA., (February 17, 2010)


AUTO CLUB 500- PREVIEW

Auto Club 500
Series: Sprint Cup Series
Track: Auto Club Speedway (2.0-mile Tri-oval)
Date: February 21, 2010
Start: 3:00 PM ET
Distance: 250 laps/500 miles

 

· Bobby Labonte and the TRG Motorsports No. 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet team brought home the highest finish by a single-car team in the 2010 Daytona 500 and look to build on that momentum heading into NASCAR's West Coast debut.
· NASCAR's return to the West Coast will also be a return home for team owner Kevin Buckler. Buckler grew up in Southern California and discovered his love of speed and racing at an early age. That passion has flourished into successful Grand Am and NASCAR programs.
· The Auto Club 500 will mark Labonte's 19th start at Auto Club Speedway where he's scored four top-5's and five top-10's.
· This No. 71 Chevrolet Impala SS, chassis number 286, will be making its on-track debut with TRG Motorsports

Behind the Wheel with Bobby Labonte
"California really is a wide track. It's similar to Michigan and I'm a big fan of Michigan. California is flatter so you have to race and drive it a bit differently, but it's a pretty unique track, so I like it. Man, you just have to handle there at the track. Handling is a big, big deal there. It's just so wide that you need to be able to keep momentum and speed up in the turns. If you're not handling well, it's pretty tough."

"In comparison to other intermediate tracks, it's a longer, wider track. It's fast and has a long backstretch and you can draft off guys in the back. The drafting is not like Daytona or Talladega, but there will definitely be some going on. You need a nice, solid car. This track is just bigger, the banking isn't as steep and it's a lot about momentum and hitting your marks. It's a tough track, more difficult than most.

"It's nice to go visit the West Coast and stay out there for a few days, and I know it will be nice for Kevin to be near his home town. The only thing is, if you have a bad day, it's a long way back home. But, we feel good about going out there and having a good car all weekend."

From the Box – Doug Randolph
"When we visit Auto Club Speedway, we know that power and handling are going to be the two biggest factors. Since this is a two-mile track, you have to have a lot of horsepower. Now that the track has aged a bit, it has gotten really rough in turns 1 and 2, so you need a car that will handle the bumps well. At least 50-percent of the races there come down to fuel mileage, so you've got to make sure you're getting it packed with fuel on every pit stop and your calculations are correct. Historically, the tires have fallen off quickly, so we'll see how the new tire that Goodyear provides will perform for us this week."

From the Owner – Kevin Buckler
"Being a native of Southern California, I can't wait to get back to race on the West Coast. This is where I discovered my love for speed and racing, and it's a passion that stayed with me throughout my entire adult life. I've got a lot of great memories there, our sister company, TRG, has had great success with two big wins on the Grand Am side, but I'm looking forward to creating some new ones with what I hope to be a strong run for the No. 71. We had a good finish in the Daytona 500 as the top independent team, so we're definitely going to be building on that. We're happy to have TaxSlayer.com on board with us this weekend as we continue to work to secure a couple of more great sponsors to round out our partnership roster."

Bobby Labonte – At Auto Club Speedway
Starts: 19

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 4

Top 10s: 5



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TaxSlayer Racing News
Phoenix, AZ., (November 17, 2009)


TAXSLAYER.COM AND SPRINT CUP CHAMPION BOBBY LABONTE
SIGN WITH TRG MOTORSPORTS FOR 2010


TaxSlayer Racing #71 Car

TRG Motorsports today announced NASCAR Cup Series Champion Bobby Labonte will be the full-time driver of the No. 71 TRG Motorsports Chevrolet for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

Additionally, TaxSlayer.com has signed a multi-race primary sponsorship agreement with TRG for 2010. The announcement, made by TRG Motorsports team owner Kevin Buckler, TaxSlayer.com's Assistant Director of Growth Daniel Eubanks, as well as Labonte, came during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tour stop at Phoenix International Raceway. Labonte will compete in a total of seven races in 2009 in the No. 71, including the final four events of the season. After weeks of speculation regarding his position next year, Labonte is very pleased with the decision he's made and looks forward to building on the success the team has seen in 2009.

"I'm really excited about the opportunity that I'll have next year with both TRG Motorsports and TaxSlayer.com as a sponsor," Labonte said. "Each time I've run with the team this year I've enjoyed the experience, and I'm looking forward to filling the seat full time next year and really building on what we've started. I have gotten to know the management team at TaxSlayer and they are great people. I am looking forward to representing them next season." TaxSlayer.com made its debut in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at this year's race at Watkins Glen International Raceway, and will have served as the primary sponsor of the No. 71 a total of six times in 2009, including the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "Everyone at Taxslayer.com is very excited to continue our relationship with TRG Motorsports and Bobby Labonte," stated Eubanks. "TRG and TaxSlayer both exhibit a phenomenal product and unbelievable quality.

Headed in to next season, we're looking forward to showcasing our service to the entire NASCAR community, especially as tax season approaches." After years of success in sports car racing, TRG Motorsports team owner Kevin Buckler is pleased to see his entry into NASCAR's top echelon proving to be successful so quickly. "This is a huge day for TRG Motorsports. I am unbelievably excited as we move into 2010 knowing that we've got a Championship-caliber driver, a team with the skill set and equipment to go to Victory Lane and sponsors like TaxSlayer.com," Buckler said. "We have come an incredibly long way in a very short time. I think today's announcement speaks volumes for the potential that we have as an organization, and shows we're doing the right thing. I especially want to thank Slugger and Mike Brown for their leadership in 2009. They have put us in a position to attract a driver like Bobby and sponsors like TaxSlayer."

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TaxSlayer Racing News
Talladega, AL., (November 2, 2009)

Bobby Labonte Scores Season-Best Top-10 Finish of 2009
for TaxSlayer.com and TRG Motorsports No. 71 Team!


TaxSlayer Racing #71 Car

In one of NASCAR’s biggest “wild card” races, 2000 Cup Champion Bobby Labonte piloted the No. 71 TRG Motorsports TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet Impala SS to the team’s first top-10 finish of 2009 in the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Despite a last lap brush with the safer barriers, Labonte made an impressive run from his 37th starting position near the back of the field to run 2nd by the race’s second caution on lap 49. Other than fuel and tires, he requested few changes on his TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet throughout the race.

“I’m really happy I was able to bring TRG Motorsports and TaxSlayer.com their first top-10 finish of the year and looking forward to the next 3 races in the No. 71,” Labonte said. “It’s always tough at a place like Talladega, and Sunday was no different, but I had a great team, sponsor and fast car and we were able to pull off a strong finish.”

In his team’s first year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, owner Kevin Buckler was thrilled with the team’s finish and is looking forward to more success with Labonte behind the wheel of the No. 71 throughout the remainder of the season.

“It was very exciting for me to see our first top-10 finish in the Cup series for this young team,” Buckler said. “We’ve got a lot of great guys working with us who have years of experience in NASCAR, and it’s good to see all of our hard work pay off at a place like Talladega for a really important partner – TaxSlayer.com.”

Labonte’s finish in the No. 71 brings him his 199th top-10 finish, 34th top-10 at a superspeedway and 13th top-10 at Talladega.

The No. 71 TRG Motorsports team will travel to Labonte’s home state to run the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, November 8.

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TaxSlayer Racing News
Concord, NC., (October 19, 2009)

TaxSlayer Racing #71 Car

Mike Bliss brought the TRG Motorsports No. 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet Impala SS home in 24th place in tonight's running of the NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America at Lowe's Motor Speedway.  

 
Bliss started the race from the fourth row in the seventh starting position.  The run up to the first round of pit stops had the Oregon native running strong in the top ten.  On the first stop an issue on pit road cost the team several positions returning Bliss to the fray in 24th.  On lap 61 he had a small brush with the Turn Four wall, but there was no real damage the TaxSlayer.com Chevy.

"The car was tight on longer runs," Bliss said.  "It went back and forth all night with the handling, from tight to loose.  In this series you have to capitalize on track position.  We had a few issues and one of those was mine when we scrapped the wall and we had to fix the right rear crush panel."

Later in the race, on lap 61, Bliss had to take to the infield of the tri-oval to miss the spinning 16 car.

"The 16 car got pitched down off the track and I went low and had to go through the grass, which caused us to pit again late in the race to clear the front grill.  We were all over the place tonight, tight to loose, into the wall and through the grass.  It wasn't a bad run we were not too far off with the car.  The adjustments we were making were very minor.  We were in the race.   We just needed a couple of breaks to have a really good run.  All in all I had a good experience with the TRG Motorsports guys this weekend."

TRG Motorsports team principal Kevin Buckler was satisfied with the way the race went. 

"Mike did a great job all weekend," Buckler said.  "He put us up front in qualifying for a seventh place starting spot.  We expected a little more in the race.  With all that happened in the race 24th was not bad tonight.  Mike drove his heart out and gave a full effort behind the wheel.  The guys worked real hard on the car all week and had it right for the race.  We just needed a couple of things to go our way to stay up toward the front but it didn't happen.  We will go on to Martinsville next weekend."

The team will travel to Martinsville Speedway to run the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Tums Fast Relief 500 on Sunday, October 25.

 

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TaxSlayer Racing News
Concord, NC., (October 16, 2009)

 

TaxSlayer Racing #71 Car

Mike Bliss qualified the TRG Motorsports No. 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet Impala SS in seventh for Saturday evening's running of the NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America at Lowe's Motor Speedway.   Driving the car for the only the second time and with minimal practice laps Bliss posted TRG's best qualifying effort of the season.

 
Rain for most of the day caused havoc with the Sprint Cup schedule.  NASCAR was finally able to dry the track for an hour's worth of practice which started at 6:30 p.m.  Bliss got off to a fast start in the 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevy by ending the days only practice in seventh place.   In qualifying the Oregon native was able to carry the speed over and turn a lap of 28.360 and 190 mph.  This effort will have him starting from the fourth row for Saturday's 7:30 p.m. start.

"I was a little more on the edge in qualifying than in practice, I was just trying to get more out of it," Bliss said.  "The car had a good feel to it.  I thought there would be more grip.  I was trying to carry more speed center off, but it was getting tighter at the exit which is why I had that wiggle coming off of Turn Four.  That messed up the lap a little.  I just kept my foot in it and ended up backing up my practice time.  I am not sure there was much more than that left tonight.  If I would have been a lane and a half lower I would have been much happier with the lap.  That is the name of the game - get the car in the race."

Speeds were up substantially.  The pole speed is the fastest time that the new generation cars have ever qualified.

"It is going to be a crazy race.  I am not quite sure what to expect.  Slugger (Labbe, crew chief) says he has a good race setup for the car.  The guys gave me a great car to qualify, so I will believe them when they also say that we will have a good race car as well."

Further proving his speed at Lowe's, Bliss had the fastest practice time in his in his No. 11 Nationwide Series car in practice today.

"The secret to being fast here is good cars.  I have been floating around this season between a few cars, but I am lucky to be in two very good cars for this weekend."

TRG Motorsports team principal Kevin Buckler has a fast car for Saturday night. 

"We had a very fast start to the weekend," Buckler said.  "Mike went out and popped a fast lap and stayed at the top of the time sheet for the first half of practice.  The guys did a great job preparing the car and it showed as it was fast right off of the trailer.  We have been working with three different drivers this season, but we have been able to prove that our strong little team is capable of putting a great car on the track and running with some of the biggest names and biggest teams in the sport.  This team is comprised of a strong group of racers and we are for sure the most efficient group on the grid.  All of this is preparing us for our big launch in 2010.  Who ever is involved with us is in for a hell of a ride!  There are a lot of big time names and brands behind us and we are are really proud of the effort."

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America will be broadcasted live on ABC beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET.


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TaxSlayer Racing News
Atlanta, GA., (September 7, 2009)

 

TaxSlayer Racing #71 Car

Bobby Labonte finished 18th tonight in the TRG Motorsports No. 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet Impala SS.  The six time winner showed his mastery of Atlanta Motor Speedway in tonight's running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pep Boys Auto 500.

 
Labonte was quick to race forward from his 25th qualifying position.  The Texan had the No. 71 Chevy battling in the top 20 for most of the night.  About half-way through, on the strength of some strong pit work, Labonte was running 10th.  Looking for the team's first top ten in the Sprint Cup Series the handling of the car began to go away.  Labonte and crew chief Richard "Slugger" Labbe were communicating all night and adjusting on the TaxSlayer.com No. 71, but had to settle for 18th place on the night.  

"We ran the best we did all night at the beginning and after the second pit stop," Labonte said.  "We adjusted on the car all night.  I am not sure what it was.  We just couldn't get it right tonight.  I couldn't get it any faster for a short run and couldn't get it tight enough on entry and exit for a long run.  I could get it tight in the center, but that would ruin our entry and exit."

Labonte is happy with the team communication in his first outing with TRG Motorsports.

"Slugger was giving me a lot of information, probably more than I have heard in a long time.  Everything we tried during the race seemed like the right adjustments to make, but the car was not totally into the track.  On the third set of tires we were really off and we adjusted on it again and I think it was just a bad set of tires.  I am encouraged about this first outing with these guys and I am looking forward to the next one."

Kevin Buckler, TRG Motorsports team principal, knows his team is ready for a break-thru performance.  

"It was a really good night," Buckler said.  "Bobby has taken right to our little team.  We gave him a good car and he was able to move forward and run in the top ten.  He and Slugger were right on with the communication.  The guys in the pits did an awesome job, we were as strong as anyone.  As usual Mike's (Mike Brown, general manager and spotter) spotting was perfect and we were able to make-up track position and help keep Bobby motivated.  We didn't quite have the setup to stay in the top ten, but it sure was nice to see the TaxSlayer.com Chevy up there tonight.  We're moving forward and that's the name of the game right now."

 

 

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TaxSlayer Racing News
Mooresville, NC., (September 2, 2009)

 

TaxSlayer Racing #71 Car

When TaxSlayer.com agreed to become the sponsor of the TRG Motorsports No. 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet Impala SS driven by David Gilliland in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for six races there was one stipulation - they wouldn't be on the car when the University of Georgia plays home football games. 

What happens when the religion of Georgia football weekend home games and the mass appeal of NASCAR battle for the hearts of racing and football fans - compromise. 
  
 "Georgia football is a big part of our fall weekends," Daniel Eubanks, assistant director of growth, TaxSlayer.com said.  "The Rhodes' family has had season tickets at Sanford Stadium for over 10 years.  Going to Georgia football games is our Saturday religion.  When the TaxSlayer.com logo was designed the Georgia colors just kind of crept in there somehow.  It is tough sitting in the stands rooting for the Bulldogs with one eye on the TV watching the Sprint Cup team practice and the other on the field.  Our compromise with the team was Talladega, which was a tough one because the Bulldogs play one of their big rivals that weekend, the Florida Gators."
 
"It was a different negotiation," Kevin Buckler, TRG Motorsports team principal said.  "Usually you go back-and-forth over the details of car design, team uniforms, etc., but a football weekend was a new one on me.  The Rhodes family, with TaxSlayer.com as one of their portfolio of businesses, are huge Georgia Bulldog football fans.  They did not want to sponsor the car when the Bulldog's played at home.  We were able to get one race on a Georgia home game weekend and that is Talladega, which is an institution."

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pep Boys Auto 500 will be run at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend, Sunday, September 6 with the ESPN broadcast to start at 7:00 p.m. 

 

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TaxSlayer Racing News
Bristol, Tenn., (August 22, 2009)

TaxSlayer Racing #71 CarDavid Gilliland had a heartbreak weekend in the TRG Motorsports No. 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet Impala SS.  The 39th place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway for Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sharpie 500 was not at all indicative of how the team ran all weekend.
 
In qualifying Gilliland put in a fabulous lap, putting the No. 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevy 12th on the grid.  This comes after finishing each of the two practices in the top ten.  
 
The team ran a strong 60% of the race running as high as eighth.  The team was performing great pit stops, helping Gilliland to makeup track position.  The car was better on long runs and the team was poised for a strong finish.  On lap 355, with no warning, a lower ball joint broke sending the 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevy into the wall and ending the team's run early. 
 
"I am really proud of all the guys at TRG Motorsports, they did a great job preparing this car and working on it all weekend," Gilliland said.  "We were fast from the minute we hit the race track on Friday.  That is what you need to be competitive in this series and that is how our weekend started.   Our TaxSlayer.com Chevy was running really well.  We were never in danger of going a lap down.  That is hard to do at Bristol.  There were some great cars and teams laps down when we went out."
 
"I think we broke something on the right front of the car.  This is the hardest track on equipment.  I had no warning, all at once it went.  It is unfortunate.  This whole weekend has been very positive for everyone at TRG Motorsports.  We made some big strides as a team this weekend.  We will rebound at Atlanta.  We will have TaxSlayer.com on the car and it is one of my favorite tracks and we will be competitive there as well."
 
Kevin Buckler, TRG Motorsports team principal, is proud of the way the team performed this weekend. 
 
"This was almost a corner turned for TRG Motorsports this weekend," Buckler said.  "We ran competitively with some of the top teams in the sport and the guys worked their butts off all weekend and it showed.  With top times in practice, a strong qualifying effort, competitive pit stops and a great race going, we were having a great weekend.  David really delivered all weekend, driving smart and never missing a mark.  Slugger (Labbe, crew chief) was brilliant on the setup and Mike (Brown, general manager and spotter) really earned his paycheck this weekend - it was nuts!  The part failure is disappointing, but we are going away from Bristol with a great feeling for the future of this team.  This was flat-out racing, no secret aero advantages or parts we can't afford.  We are going to surprise a lot of people before this season is over."
 
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will take next weekend off and return to action Labor Day weekend, Sunday, September 6 for another night race. 

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TaxSlayer Racing News
Mooresville, North Carolina, (August 18, 2009)

TaxSlayer Racing #71 CarDavid Gilliland is ready to take the TRG Motorsports No. 71 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet Impala SS to the Bull Ring that is Bristol Motor Speedway for Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sharpie 500.

 

Gilliland qualified 14th in the spring race at Bristol, his best effort in his six event history at the .533 mile oval located on the border of Tennessee and Virginia.

 

"The night at race Bristol is very special," Gilliland said. "We don't race at night that much. There will be sparks flying. I think it is a better show for the fans. It is sold out and that makes it even more fun for the drivers. It is a great race. The track has more grip at night. When the track has more grip, the drivers tend to be more aggressive and that makes for an exciting show."

 

The team is taking the same car back that they ran in the spring race.

 

"We are taking the same car back. TRG Motorsports is a young team and we don't have that many cars, so we can't always take the same car back to these tracks the second time around. We are building on our notes. We ran pretty good there in the spring, but couldn't put a good finish together. We were running 16th at one point and came in for a pit stop and went back out in 35th, you can't do that at Bristol. I have a lot of confidence going back there. The car will be better than in the spring."

 

Night time setup versus day time setup will have crew chief Richard "Slugger" Labbe and the team challenged all weekend.

 

"The setup of the car for the night race will be a little different than we ran during the day. Bristol is has a concrete surface and it really doesn't change as much with the temperature. Atlanta from day to night will see a big difference in the track and how the car handles. Slugger and the guys will have to be ready for everything and anything this weekend."

 

Kevin Buckler, TRG Motorsports team principal, is improving this small team and is looking to be more competitive with the repeat visits to these circuits.

 

"Bristol is one of the tracks that everyone wants to perform well at," Buckler said. "We are going to these tracks for the second time and as a young team we are seeing how good our notes are from the previous race. We qualified 14th the last time, but had some miscues in the race. We have improved our pit stops and the car preparation is progressing each race. David knows these circuits and the communication between him and Slugger is very strong. We are looking to be very competitive this weekend at Bristol."

 

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race from Bristol Motor Speedway will be televised on ESPN starting at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 22nd.

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TaxSlayer Racing News
Watkins Glen, N.Y., (August 8, 2009)

Andy Lally qualified 15th for his first ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Race today at Watkins Glen International for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen to be run Sunday, August 9.  Teammate David Gilliland did not qualify for the race, so the team will put the TaxSlayer.com livery on the No. 71 for Sunday's race.
 
Lally put in a lap time of 72.460 that will see him start from the eighth row.  The time was a half second faster than his best practice time.  During the only practice before qualifying Lally and the team suffered through a misfire in the Chevrolet motor which hampered the amount of laps that he was able to complete.  The team was able to fix the car with just eight minutes remaining in the session.  The Northport, New York, native completed just four timed laps in practice, making his qualifying effort all the more satisfying and impressive. 
 
"We overcame a little bit of adversity during our practice session today," Lally said.  "We had a misfire in the motor.  The crew did an amazing job of swapping out everything to come up with a solution to the problem to get the car right for qualifying.  We really took a big swing at it for qualifying and it worked out.  Slugger (crew chief Richard "Slugger" Labbe) and Kevin Buckler (team principal) really put a good car under me today.  I just went for it.  I want to thank TaxSlayer.com for coming onboard and we look forward to doing a good job for them this weekend."
 
Lally is elated to get his first Sprint Cup start at his home track.
 
"I am having trouble putting it into words how I feel about qualifying for my first NASCAR race.  I have my whole family here and it is a great day.  I grew up in New York and making my Sprint Cup start in my home state is just amazing.  It puts a lump in my throat just thinking about it."
 
With his thoughts turning to the race, he knows there is more speed in the car and that should come in tomorrow's practice.
 
"In the few amount of laps we've had here I noticed a few things we need to work on for the race.  A good race car here is a car that brakes well at key points and puts down power.  We need to put down power coming onto the front straight and coming out of turn one.  We also need the car to transition well in the Bus Stop turn.  We will be working on that tomorrow in practice."
 
Kevin Buckler, TRG Motorsports team principal, is proud of his sports car ace.  
 
"This is a really big weekend for TRG Motorsports and all of our friends and partners that believed in us and helped us to get this far,"  Buckler said.  "What a job by Andy today.  He had virtually no practice, couple that with the pressure of his first Sprint Cup start and that makes for a stressful day.  He is a professional and has six pro wins here at The Glen and he gathered it up and did a great job in qualifying.  It is too bad that David did not make the race.  We have a lot faith in David and he represents the future of our team in NASCAR.  He has done a fantastic job for us all season and got us here at The Glen and we will back next weekend at Michigan stronger than ever.  We are excited to have TaxSlayer.com onboard with us.  This will be one hell-of-a-good first race!"


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