Bobby Labonte undecided about 2009 plans
Quote selected text Published April 1st, 2008 in NASCAR News
Bobby Labonte has not yet signed a contract for 2009 and beyond, according to a statement released by his public relations firm.
Labonte is in the last season of his contract with Petty Enterprises, and the 2000 Cup champion is considered a heavy favorite to go to Richard Childress Racing’s fourth team next year.
General Mills, which currently sponsors Labonte’s car at Petty Enterprises, will move from the Pettys to that fourth RCR Sprint Cup car beginning in 2009.
“I’m very humbled by the level of interest in my future, but at this time I’m concentrating all my efforts in getting Petty Enterprises back to victory lane,” Labonte said in a statement Tuesday night. “I feel good about all the positive steps that Petty Enterprises has made and continues to make.
“General Mills has been a huge part of making the 43 team what it is today. I worked diligently with Petty Enterprises to continue General Mills involvement with the team. Today, we all learned they have made a decision. I truly appreciate all they have done to contribute to our success at Petty Enterprises.”
- Labonte says he knows where he’s driving in 2009
- Report: Bobby Labonte and General Mills moving to RCR in 2009-UPDATE
- Bobby Labonte signs extension with Petty Enterprises-UPDATE
- Bobby Labonte to run Totino’s Pizza Rolls at Indy
- Bobby Labonte to stay at Petty Enterprises
He can go to RCR and be demoted to a Past Champ used to get a new car into the field, only the be left out in the cold in a year or two. Or he can stay at Petty in a solidly locked in and preforming car and become the leader that team so desperately needs, especially when Chad becomes the full time driver of PE’s second car.
IDK call me greedy, but I’d rather be a leader and help re-build a legendary organization, then be the 3rd driver for a team that will need sponsorship for one of its cars and has a prospect in the developmental system that room will need to be made for in a year or two.
Current ranking is 21 in points.
RCR Cars current ranking #1, #2, #12.
I should have been more specific! Bobby Labontes current ranking is 21st in points.
Yeah, but really that doesn’t say anything about what their performance will be next year. I mean look at HMS last year and this, or Evernham in 2006/2007 or Roush a few years ago.
Plus yeah they are 1, 2, 12 6 races in, but were will they be 16 races in, or 26 races in, and most importantly 36 races in.
Bobby Labonte in 2007
o wins
o top 5’s
3 top 10’s
after 36 races his average finish was 22.2.
2006 average finish is 22
2005 average finish is 22.7
Better to be consistent then good one year and bad the next….
So you would be happy being a past champion and then the best you can do is 21st?
A real racer is never happy with how they preform even if they are winning every race.