Post by dalejrfan on Oct 29, 2005 19:13:54 GMT -5
HAMPTON, Ga. - Bobby Labonte apparently is on the short list of "proven winners" NASCAR legend Richard Petty plans to consider as driver of the famed No. 43 beginning in 2006.
Labonte, the 2000 Nextel Cup champion, has a contract with Joe Gibbs Racing that runs through 2008. But a source said Friday that Labonte had informed some crewmen two weeks ago that he would not be returning to the No. 18 Chevrolet in 2006.
Labonte has driven for Gibbs' organization since 1995, scoring all 21 of his Cup victories with the team owned by the coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins. But Labonte, 41, is winless since November 2003 -- a span of 68 races heading into Sunday's Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He qualified 38th in the 43-car field Friday.
Labonte is 24th in points and has failed to qualify for the first two editions of the Chase for the Nextel Cup.
A team spokesman said Labonte has been "noncommittal" about his plans for next season. The source added that though Labonte respects Gibbs and his organization, he wants a change of scenery.
Coincidentally, Petty Enterprises is looking for a driver for the No. 43 Dodge. Jeff Green informed King Richard and son Kyle, a Cup regular and the president of Petty Enterprises, last weekend that he had signed to drive the No. 0 Chevy for Haas CNC Racing in 2006.
"We're going to need a driver, and I'm not available," said Richard Petty, a seven-time Cup champion and the winner of a record 200 races. "So we'll have to go get somebody. And, naturally, you'd want to go as far up the list as you could go. If we could get somebody who's a proven winner over a period of time, it'd be great."
Asked if Bobby Labonte fit his criteria, Petty said: "Oh, definitely. He's a proven winner, proven champion - all of the above. It would be great if we could land Bobby, but it's all speculation until he says something or we say something."
Hall of Fame may double up
Hall of Fame Racing's inaugural driver introduction Thursday at Texas Motor Speedway could be a double-feature.
A source said Terry Labonte, a two-time Cup champion, and journeyman Tony Raines will be introduced as the first drivers of the start-up team co-owned by former Cowboys quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.
Primary sponsor Texas Instruments has scheduled a news conference as part of the inaugural Dickies 500 weekend in Fort Worth.
Labonte would drive the season-opening Daytona 500 - NASCAR's Super Bowl - in February and the next four events. Labonte's past champion's provisional would assure the team of making the season's first five events even if the car is not fast enough to qualify on speed.
Labonte is contracted to run 10 races of his choice for Hendrick Motorsports in 2006, including his final start at Texas Motor Speedway in November.
Labonte, the 2000 Nextel Cup champion, has a contract with Joe Gibbs Racing that runs through 2008. But a source said Friday that Labonte had informed some crewmen two weeks ago that he would not be returning to the No. 18 Chevrolet in 2006.
Labonte has driven for Gibbs' organization since 1995, scoring all 21 of his Cup victories with the team owned by the coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins. But Labonte, 41, is winless since November 2003 -- a span of 68 races heading into Sunday's Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He qualified 38th in the 43-car field Friday.
Labonte is 24th in points and has failed to qualify for the first two editions of the Chase for the Nextel Cup.
A team spokesman said Labonte has been "noncommittal" about his plans for next season. The source added that though Labonte respects Gibbs and his organization, he wants a change of scenery.
Coincidentally, Petty Enterprises is looking for a driver for the No. 43 Dodge. Jeff Green informed King Richard and son Kyle, a Cup regular and the president of Petty Enterprises, last weekend that he had signed to drive the No. 0 Chevy for Haas CNC Racing in 2006.
"We're going to need a driver, and I'm not available," said Richard Petty, a seven-time Cup champion and the winner of a record 200 races. "So we'll have to go get somebody. And, naturally, you'd want to go as far up the list as you could go. If we could get somebody who's a proven winner over a period of time, it'd be great."
Asked if Bobby Labonte fit his criteria, Petty said: "Oh, definitely. He's a proven winner, proven champion - all of the above. It would be great if we could land Bobby, but it's all speculation until he says something or we say something."
Hall of Fame may double up
Hall of Fame Racing's inaugural driver introduction Thursday at Texas Motor Speedway could be a double-feature.
A source said Terry Labonte, a two-time Cup champion, and journeyman Tony Raines will be introduced as the first drivers of the start-up team co-owned by former Cowboys quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.
Primary sponsor Texas Instruments has scheduled a news conference as part of the inaugural Dickies 500 weekend in Fort Worth.
Labonte would drive the season-opening Daytona 500 - NASCAR's Super Bowl - in February and the next four events. Labonte's past champion's provisional would assure the team of making the season's first five events even if the car is not fast enough to qualify on speed.
Labonte is contracted to run 10 races of his choice for Hendrick Motorsports in 2006, including his final start at Texas Motor Speedway in November.