Auto Racing

Bobby Labonte takes a 19-point lead over Kenny Wallace in the Busch Grand National driver race into the season finale, the Winston Classic at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia.

Two years ago, Tommy Houston also came to Martinsville with a 19-point edge, only to be knocked out of the race because of the failure of an engine part that cost less than $10. His 24th-place finish gave Rob Moroso a 55-point victory in the season standings.

Neither Labonte nor Wallace wants to see the same thing happen in the 200-lap race on Martinsville’s 0.526-mile, low-banked oval.

Labonte will start on the pole, and Wallace, after a poor qualifying run, will begin the race 24th in the 32-car field for the 200-lap race on a 0.526-mile oval.

If Labonte finishes third or better, he wins the title regardless of where Wallace finishes. Wallace needs to win the race and hope Labonte runs into trouble to claim the $100,000 bonus that goes to the series champion.