Officials: Labonte was not cheating

Nextel Cup director John Darby said that the parts found to be illegal would have been legal at every other track other than Talladega and Daytona, and would not have enhanced performance for the qualifying session.

"From what we've investigated, what we really and truly feel, there was an error made in the engine shop as that car was produced," Darby said.

"The modifications to the carburettor are something that are permissible at all other tracks that we run on, except Daytona and Talladega with the restrictor plates.

"Quite frankly, the modification done to the carburettor is more to enhance fuel economy than it was performance.

"Understanding qualifying is only two laps, and it's not really a concern of the teams to try to save fuel on those two laps, but ultimately to get the most speed out of the car.

"Yes, the piece is incorrect, so we have to react as we normally do. But as far as the intent to circumvent the rules, we don't believe that was there. That one is pretty cut and dry."

Labonte will start from the back of the grid in Thursday's Gatorade Duel as he attempts to make the grid for this Sunday's Daytona 500.