Terry Labonte considers return to Cup racing
Quote selected text Published March 18th, 2008 in NASCAR News
Two-time Cup champion Terry Labonte has enjoyed his cameo appearances at the track and would do so again. “A couple of years ago I ran some races for a team and they called me about this race and that race,” Labonte said Monday, chuckling while recalling the story. “I said, ‘Man, I’ve already got a fishing trip planned, and invited a bunch of my friends and stuff. They’ve already made their plans. I can’t change them.’”
Labonte and his past champion provisional would be available, under the right circumstances. Labonte subbed three times for Michael Waltrip in 2007 to help guarantee the #55 Camry a spot in the field, and told the Richmond Times-Dispatch last year he would’ve helped old boss Rick Hendrick had Casey Mears fallen out of the top 35. But Labonte made it clear that an appearance would be less about a past relationship and more about running at tracks that he enjoys. He admitted that he’d love to compete at the road races, where his proficiency is well-noted, and he also mentioned short tracks like Richmond as a preference. More than anything, he doesn’t want to have a negative effect wherever he goes.
“Like I told one guy, the only way I’d be interested in doing it is if everybody’s onboard with it,” Labonte said. “‘Cause I don’t want this [driver] to think I’m trying to take his job, because the last thing I want is his job. If I could help them, I would.”
With Dale Jarrett’s retirement from points competition, his provisional is out of play. Labonte’s past champion provisional from his 1996 title would take precedence over Bill Elliott’s crown from 1988. Teams are considering switching owner points with past champions to guarantee spots in the field-Matt Kenseth/Jamie McMurray and Terry’s brother Bobby Labonte/Kyle Petty serving as examples-but the champs are running well enough that racing their way in on speed is likely, giving Terry Labonte’s provisional value.
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As a fan of both the Pettys and the Labontes, it’d be more then amazing to see both Labonte Brothers in Petty cars.
But I’m still against how this past champ thing is set up, and how it is being used by the teams.
This is just wrong. NASCAR needs to change the rules on allowing past champion provisional..
Terry WAS a great driver and has retired and so should his past champ prov. card.
A drivers PAST accomplishments are great memoirs for him, his fans and family and belong on the mantel NOT to be used to get a owner a free (don’t need to qualify ) spot in the field over another team that is faster.
Team owners are creating a market where old drivers car sell their guaranteed ride to any race for $$$ and a fun ride to stroke their ego once more. This is not fair play to the teams that are trying to get a spot on time (the right way) in the field.
WAKE UP NASCAR AND CHANGE THE RULES SO EVERY TEAM AND DRIVER HAS A EQUAL CHANCE…
I was pretty much against Terry coming back again when I saw the headline, but when I saw that it could possibly be for Kyle, that would be the one situation that I think I would be okay with it. Texas Terry has been doing the part time thing and he’d still get in that car and wheel it better than Kyle ever would!
Wouldn’t it be great if Kyle got out of the car for a few races and Terry got it back in the top 35, then Kyle just stayed away and they put someone in there to start grooming them for ‘09 and beyond?
It would be great if they won’t bringing him back just because of his Champ prov.
That would let Kyle get out of the car.
Don’t get me wrong I also believe Terry is still a good driver and could do a better job than Kyle.
I just don’t think the Champ Prov. should come in play anymore.
terry is a champ and he deserves the provisional start. why even try to be a champ if u can’t use a few of the perks in nasty car. go terry help petty and waltrip. they are great teams and need help because nasty car favers the likes of jgr, hms and dei. the other underdogs need help from the big car owner-cry babies. and past champ’s like terry can help the little guys.m. good luck Terry and continue to be COOL.
Pettys and the Labontes and fisha695 SUCK !!!l0l
it would be cool to see him back out there…. racing….. we need a old time back out there showing those kids how to run the races….