Alex Labbé has confirmed his intentions to take part in the first round of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season next week on the legendary Daytona circuit.
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The Bois-Francs driver, who has still not found the financial support to drive full-time in the antechamber of the NASCAR Cup in 2023, will drive aboard a Chevrolet Camaro prepared by the DGM team, owned by the Originally from Beauceron, Mario Gosselin.
Labbé will however have to qualify to earn his place on the starting grid, which he unfortunately failed to do at this time last year.
“The context is different this year, explained Labbé in a telephone interview with the Journal. The DGM team had four cars entered for Daytona and they ran out of time for preparation.
“However, we will only be three drivers next week, which makes a big difference,” he continues. Of course I want to redeem myself. In 2022, this non-qualification was difficult to digest, but this time I am much more confident. »
Photo courtesy Alex Labbé
Alex Labbé’s Chevrolet Camaro will sport the colors of its two main partners next week at Daytona to kick off the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
Among the 33 fastest
To participate in this initial stage of the season, disputed on February 18 on the eve of the Daytona 500, Labbé will have to climb among the 33 fastest drivers during the qualifying session at the wheel of his racing car identified as number 36.
“My car is not guaranteed to start for the simple reason that the team transferred the points accumulated by car number 36 last year to number 92 in 2023,” said the 29-year-old driver. .
Josh Williams will be the beneficiary since he is hired full time this year by the DGM team. Unlike Labbé, the American’s place is guaranteed on the starting grid, regardless of his time in qualifying.
An essential stopover
This would be Labbé’s 139th start in the Xfinity Series and his seventh start on Florida’s famous speedway.
“Daytona is a must stop for any NASCAR driver. It’s always fun to take part in the first race of the season and I’m very happy to be there. I must thank all my partners without whom my presence would not be possible”, he adds.
Labbé will be able to count on the contribution of two main sponsors next weekend at Daytona, namely Larue, specializing in the manufacture of industrial snowblowers and with which he has been associated for many years, as well as Duroking, a Mirabel company specializing in engineering. civil, excavation and snow removal led by Mathieu Kingsbury, also a talented stock-car driver.
Last July, Labbé had his best result at Daytona when he crossed the finish line in eighth place.