Report: Terry Labonte to replace Michael Waltrip for Brickyard-CONFIRMED
13 Comments Quote selected text Published July 18th, 2007 in NASCAR News
Reports are that Terry Labonte, will drive the #55 NAPA Toyota in the Allstate 400 at Indianapolis instead of owner and regular driver Michael Waltrip. Labonte drove the #55 at Infineon Raceway and is scheduled to run it at Watkins Glen.
Labonte brings the past champions provisional to use and since he last won the championship in 1996, he would get the first shot to use it, if needed, over Bill Elliott in the #21 Wood Brothers Ford. Elliott last won the championship in 1988. #44-Dale Jarrett has used his allotment [6] of champions provisional’s this year and cannot use any more [this doesn't count when qualifying is cancelled]. The #55 and #21 teams are both out of the Top-35 in owners pts and the guaranteed spot and have to qualify their way in the race.
UPDATE:
Michael Waltrip Racing announced that Terry Labonte will once again, step into the #55 NAPA Toyota for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
I think this is something that needs to be changed, nothing against Terry, I happen to think he’s great but I don’t think it is fair when there are so many teams showing up week after week , Mikey ought to have to get his own car in.
The qualifying proceedures in Nascar are ridiculous.
Mikey Cant thats why hes trying this stunt.
I beg to differ he’s been fast each and every week but due to the top 35 rule and rainouts and such he gets screwed by the rulebook…
You are mistaken my dear friend as I can only remember perhaps 2 occasions where this has happened
Other than that he has been 2 slow or wrecked trying.
Mikey only got bit by the rain once but i think his problem is he’s too scared of wrecking one of his own cars. He was never a great driver but he’s not that bad either. if you put him in a car that someone else is paying for you would see a completely differant driver but still not great.
i still cannot figure out why they don’t let the fastest 43 cars race each week, in my opinion that could make for some better racing because you would have the fastest 43 cars that showed up for that week. not the fastest 30 – 35 and then cars that have to use provisionals or owners points. jmo
the fastest 43 sounds great, but ain’t gonna happen, not with the money the sponsors pony up, they want those tops cars and drivers in.
This “Past champion provisional” thing is a BS . Hear me roar NASCAR.
Dragging Terry out just because he has a pass for life is WRONG !!!!!
Why even have a provisional pass, each year is a new year and what you did in the past is just that, in the past.
Why take a spot away from some one who could make it on time just to appease a antiqued system of paying homage to PAST CHAMPS that do not even still race full time.
Fastest 43 race, Period!!!!!! The sponsors will be prouder that you actually earned your spot to race.
I COULD HAVE SWORE I HEARD TERRY LABONTE RIGHT
HE WAS GOING TO RETIRE FOR GOOD
MAN COME YOU COULDNT WIN IN A HENDRICK CAR UR REALLY NOT GONNA
WIN IN A MWR CAR
ALL THIS SEASON HAS BEEN ABOUT IS GETTING DRIVERS WITH
PAST CHAMPIONSHIPS TO DRIVE UR CARS TO GET INTO THE RACE
TERRY LABONTE IS DOING IT, BILL ELLIOT IS DOING IT COME ON PEOPLE IF YOU
CANT HIRE A DRIVER THAT CANT GET U INTO THE TOP 35 IN POINTS THEN THAT
IS YOUR FAULT
WHY IS THERE SO MUCH STRESS ON THE 10-15 OUT OF THE TOP 35 THERE WILL
ALWAYS BE DRIVERS OUTSIDE THE TOP 35 YOU CANT HAVE 56 DRIVERS IN THE TOP
35
SO JUST GIVE UP AND RACE WHAT YOU HIRED AND IF THAT DOESNT WORK YOU NEED
TO HIRE SOMEONE ELSE TO DRIVE FULL TIME NOT A PAST CHAMPION TO RACE A FEW
RACES TO GET U UP IN POINTS
Michael Waltrip sucks
all he does is crash and get in like 5 races a year
gay
MAYBE HE WILL HAVE SOME LUCK FOR MICKY
Anybody is better than waltrip hes been racing what 20yrs got 2 wins I think thanks to dale he did waltrip a favor an gave him a ride cause were good friends,he didnt deserve it he wrecked every week like always with other teams