It was a subtle difference, but one that didn't go unnoticed by defending Winston Cup champion Bobby Labonte. Instead of the typical pat on the back and good luck wishes he typically received from other drivers and crew members before qualifying, he got a pat on the back and a reminder to be careful. It has been since seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt was killed on the last lap of last Sunday's Daytona 500.
None are Pontiacs.
The two Chevrolets owned by Richard Childress, who owned the black No. 3 car driven by Earnhardt, have been fitted with a new harness device developed by Auto Live. Stacy Compton became a proponent of the device, which offers support similar to the HANS, after using it for the first time at Daytona. There has been talk among drivers about forming a driver's safety committee. They've had a great package for a number of years, and I think to go to the next level, to make it better, it does need to be an outside source. We have very safe race cars.