Unlike the previous two years, Alex Labbé was unable to participate in all of the NASCAR Xfinity Series events in 2022.
• Read also: NASCAR: back to basics in the Pinty’s series for Alex Labbé
• Read also: NASCAR Xfinity: “The biggest impact of my career… by far” -Alex Labbé
• Read also: A valuable partner for Alex Labbé in the Xfinity series
The Bois-Francs driver will be making his 26th start this year on Saturday (if he obviously qualifies) on the occasion of the last stage of the calendar which will crown a new champion on the Phoenix oval.
Labbé’s Chevrolet Camaro will sport new colors to mark the arrival of a new sponsor, the Toronto company NRS, which specializes in the manufacture of brake pads.
“It’s very rewarding to count on partners who believe in our potential,” said Labbé in a telephone interview with Log. This bodes well for next year. Hoping that this company is satisfied with the results of this first presence. »
Representatives of NRS will also be on site in Phoenix to encourage the Quebec driver.
For lack of a sufficient budget, Labbé had to give up his driving on a few occasions within the DGM team, directed by the Beauceron of origin, Mario Gosselin.
In the top 20 at the end
Despite everything, he currently occupies 19th place in the cumulative ranking and everything seems to indicate that it is at this position that he will conclude his career in 2022.
“People don’t really see it, but it’s been my best season in terms of speed and performance. Particularly during the races on the road circuit, where I had the opportunity to stand up to the drivers of the top teams on several occasions”, he claims.
But, it’s mostly bad luck [des ennuis mécaniques et quelques accrochages] which ruined his chances of scoring good results.
“At the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, I qualified in fifth place, but the broken differential, which occurred a few laps from the end, probably deprived me of a top five. Then, at Road America, I was driving sixth before being knocked out of the race by an overly reckless opponent,” he recalls.
On three occasions, Labbé has finished in the top ten this year, on the road courses of Portland (tenth) and Charlotte (sixth) as well as on the oval of Daytona (eighth) last August.
“We should have stayed at home”
However, it was at Daytona that he suffered a major disappointment last February when he was unable to qualify for the season opener.
“It was frustrating, although it wasn’t a surprise. The decision to race at Daytona was made days before the race, and it was the team’s fourth car. DGM ran out of time to prepare it. Honestly, we should have stayed home. »
Labbé suffered the same fate in Homestead, still in Florida, on October 22.
Fewer races in 2023?
Labbé does not hide that he already has the 2023 season in his sights, although no agreement has been finalized.
“We are not late yet, but it must move soon. Many drivers are already stuck, and I would like to be in the same situation as soon as possible. »
However, if he has always been faithful to DGM, with which he has competed in his 137 races in the antechamber of the NASCAR Cup, Labbé does not exclude the possibility of reducing his presence next year to win a steering wheel which will would allow him to express all his talent.
“I’m not closing the door to DGM, but I would like to be more competitive. The idea is maybe to race less often, but with a good car,” he says.
“I’ve said it for a long time, I want to fight for victories. I’m considering several scenarios, including riding a few times with a top team. It will obviously depend on our budget. »
In Phoenix, Labbé will drive car number 92 which is not automatically qualified. Among the 39 entered, one driver will be excluded from the starting grid. The qualifying session is scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (Quebec time) while the kickoff of the event will be given at 6 p.m.
The Xfinity Series will crown a new champion among these four finalists: Ty Gibbs, Noah Gragson, Josh Berry and Justin Allgaier.