Petty Enterprises has announced the signing of 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte to a four-year contract extension. The contract will keep the veteran driver behind the wheel of the famed No. 43 Petty Enterprises Dodge through the 2012 Sprint Cup season.

Labonte, 44, began driving the No. 43 Dodge in 2006. In that time, he has garnered three top-five and 11 top-ten finishes. Labonte finished 18th in the 2007 Sprint Cup point standings, the highest finish for Petty Enterprises since the 1999.

“I have known all along this is where I want to finish my racing career,” said Labonte. “The future is very bright for Petty Enterprises. As we continue to develop and learn from this new car we will increase our testing and engineering support. The investment from Boston Ventures will allow us to compete on the same level as the bigger Sprint Cup teams.” In Robbie Loomis, Jeff Meendering, Derrick Finley and others, we have some of the brightest minds in the garage area. They will continue to expand our resources which will continue to pay dividends for us both on and off of the track.”

“After the initial meeting I had with Boston Ventures, it was evident they shared the same vision and desire to return Petty Enterprises to Victory Lane that we all have,” continued Labonte. “Their enthusiasm is contagious. When you can pair that with ‘The King,’ the confidence and success that he portrays, you have an organization that will be as strong as any in the Sprint Cup Series.”

Labonte began his driving career at the age of five, racing quarter-midgets across the country from his family’s home in Corpus Christi, Texas. Soon after he began racing, the family moved to North Carolina to support the racing efforts of his older brother, Terry Labonte. The younger Labonte continued racing in the competitive late model stock division on the short tracks around the Carolinas and Virginia. He made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in 1982 at the age of 18. For his career, Labonte has 10 Nationwide Series wins and the 1991 series championship. Labonte made his first Sprint Cup start in 1991, and has 21 career wins to go along with his 2000 series championship.

Labonte is the only driver to win both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series championships. He and Terry are the only brother tandem to win the Sprint Cup Series title.

“Bobby Labonte is a first-class driver who gives us credibility on the racetrack and in the corporate boardroom,” said Petty Enterprises Vice President of Race Operations Robbie Loomis. “There is a reason why he is a series champion and one of the most respected people in the NASCAR garage. The success he has enjoyed on the racetrack speaks for itself. He is also one of the most popular drivers in the Sprint Cup Series and is a great ambassador for Petty Enterprises and for all of our partners. Everyone at Petty Enterprises is excited to have Bobby in No. 43 Dodge for 2009 and beyond.”

[Petty Enterprises]