Generally, the title chase goes down to the last event, but Labonte ended the excitement before the circuit reached Atlanta Motor Speedway for the finale on Nov. 19. Labonte, whose brother, Terry, won titles in 1984 and 1996, denied Dale Earnhardt a chance to win an unprecedented eighth title by a substantial 265 points. Labonte won mainly because he was flawless if not spectacular, failing to finish only nine laps all season. But this is about determination. Changes were announced for next season, including one round of qualifying because Helton said the was little meaningful activity by drivers hoping to make the field in second-day qualifying.
Most cars qualify on speed or provisional spots based on car-owner points.
That's going to be kind of exciting. The race will be lengthened from 25 to 70 laps and will include all past winners of the event even if they didn't get a pole the previous season.