This season, things have changed just a bit. Down to six cars from ten, Pontiac is not looking so terrific. Labonte is currently 19th in points. His teammate Tony Stewart, a pre-season favorite for the 2001 championship is 18th. To win a championship in Winston Cup racing, you need to be strong out of the box.
Every race counts.
On the other hand, Johnny Benson, driver of the No. 10 Valvoline Pontiac, is currently fourth in points with four top-10 finishes. Well, it depends on whom you ask. It's been an unusual year so far, overall. His department supplies the engine and aerodynamic technical support for both Pontiac and Chevrolet in Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and Craftsman Truck Series. When you've only got six cars and two of them are from the defending champion's team owner, it shows up bigger.