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Bobby Labonte parts ways with Petty; team in talks with Gillett Evernham
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Bobby Labonte will no longer be driving the famed No. 43 car for Petty Enterprises.
Rusty Jarrett
Getty Images for NASCAR
Bobby Labonte has been released from his contract at Petty Enterprises – just six months after he signed a four-year contract extension when Boston Ventures purchased a majority interest in the organization from Richard Petty.
The move comes as the storied team acknowledged that it is in merger talks with Gillett Evernham Motorsports.
“Bobby is a true champion who never failed to give everything he had when he was behind the wheel of one of our race cars,” said Richard Petty in a statement. “We wish him nothing but the very best in his future endeavors.”
The 2000 Cup champion could end up at the new Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team, which still has a seat open in the No. 41 car with Target sponsorship.
“I’m very anxious to prepare for the 2009 season,” Labonte said in a statement. “I do not currently have a contract with any other team for 2009, but I am ready to explore all opportunities and form the next partnership in my career.
“I’ll continue to keep these matters private and will make the appropriate announcement and comments when my future plans are confirmed. I appreciate everyone’s continued support.”
The Petty team had been looking for sponsorship for Labonte since it was announced in April that General Mills would move to Richard Childress Racing beginning in 2009. It had been unsuccessful in those efforts.
In June, it was announced that investment firm Boston Ventures had bought a majority interest in Petty Enterprises and that Labonte had signed a four-year deal. At the time, Labonte said the new deal included options that would allow him to continue driving beyond 2012 as well as “options after that if I wanted to stay in a different role.”
“In over 15 years of racing in the Sprint Cup Series, I can’t remember a time when the sport’s landscape looks as it does today,” Labonte, 44, said in his statement Thursday. “Saying that, Petty Enterprises and I had serious and very sincere discussions about what was best for myself and everyone involved at Petty Enterprises moving forward.
“These discussions culminated with us agreeing that moving in a separate direction will be the greatest way to reach our end goals. It was by no means an easy decision.”
The Petty Holdings news release acknowledged “a possible transaction” with GEM. “It is expected that the resulting company would among other things, house the famed No. 43 car,” the release said.
In the event that a transaction is not concluded, Petty Enterprises’ current plan is to field the No. 43 as a single-car team for the 2009 season.
“We expect these discussions and decisions to take several weeks and will have further comment at the appropriate time,” said David Zucker, Petty’s chief executive officer. “Gillett Evernham Motorsports is a first-class team with great drivers, sponsors and management. We look forward to improved performance and maintaining the Richard Petty legacy, with the King front and center.”
But it will be without Labonte. After capturing the 2000 Cup title at Joe Gibbs Racing, Labonte finished sixth, 16th, eighth, 12th and 24th in points over the ensuing five seasons. He left the organization following the 2005 season for Petty Enterprises.
He has finished 21st, 18th and 21st in points over the last three years, with no victories with Petty.
Labonte has 546 career starts with 21 wins and 113 top-five finishes. All 21 of those wins came while he drove for JGR.
Labonte and the Pettys aren’t the only ones who have had difficulty in the sponsorship hunt. GEM still has not announced sponsorship for the majority of the season for its No. 10 car and Reed Sorenson.
By adding the No. 43 car, it would add another team to its stable as well as a team that is locked into the first five races of 2009 by finishing in the top 35 in owners points. Currently, only two GEM cars (the No. 9 of Kasey Kahne and the No. 19 of Elliott Sadler) are locked in for the first five races.
Last season, the No. 9 team was 15th in owner points, while the Petty No. 43 team was 22nd. The No. 19 GEM team was 24th, the No. 10 GEM team was 37th, and the No. 45 Petty team was 41st.
“We can confirm Gillett Evernham Motorsports is in exclusive negotiations with Petty Holdings,” Gillett Evernham Motorsports CEO Tom Reddin said in a statement. “GEM has a very solid foundation, and this is an exciting opportunity to build on that foundation with one of the greatest names in the history of motorsports. We will work diligently over the next several weeks and make further comment at the appropriate time.”
This is not the first time that the Gillett family has been in discussions with Petty Enterprises. Richard Petty has said that he was 50 percent along in negotiations to partner with Gillett last year, but that deal fell through when GEM wanted 80 percent ownership in the Petty organization.
The Gillett family owns several ski resorts and sports franchises, including the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens, and is co-owner of the Liverpool soccer team in Great Britain.
Founded by Lee Petty in 1949, Petty Enterprises is NASCAR’s oldest and winningest organization. It has 268 NASCAR Cup wins and 10 driver championships, three by Lee and seven by his son, Richard. Kyle Petty drove for the team from 1979 to 1984 and then returned to the Petty banner in 1997. Petty’s son, Adam, drove for the organization and was preparing for a Cup career when he was killed in May 2000 at New Hampshire during a practice session for what is now known as the Nationwide Series.
“I am, and will always be, very appreciative of what Richard Petty and the Petty family, every employee of Petty Enterprises and members of Boston Ventures did to invest in bettering my career the past three seasons,” Labonte said.
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
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24 responses to "Bobby Labonte parts ways with Petty; team in talks with Gillett Evernham". Post a Comment.
chris welch said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 10:54 AMi hope bobby finds a ride and doesn't get pushed out of the sport like some other drivers.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsaid:
Dec 11, 2008 at 12:01 PMA GEM / Petty merger would be great for both parties, to include drivers. Good move for Dodge too. Good Luck in 2009!
Report as AbuseRay, Richard, Bobby and Kasey could put Dodge back up front!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsaid:
Dec 11, 2008 at 12:24 PMI wish Bobby well wherever he ends up. I just hope his team runs something other than Dodges. Toyota anyone?
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJLynn F said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 2:45 PMPoor Bobby, I knew he shouldnt have signed that extension. He could have the RCR ride right now! I hope he finds something else real soon!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPamela Johnson said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 3:05 PMBobby is a past Champion and a very good driver. Look forward to seeing him in a good ride for next year. Just hope all this craziness settles down soon.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAllan Stroud said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 3:24 PMGOOD FOR BOBBY! He's much to good of a driver and person to stick around with a P.O.S. team as Petty. I have always been a Petty fan but that team need some serious help...and it's not going to happen over night or any time soon. I wish team Petty the best but I know this will put Bobby's career back on track. GO BOBBY!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportterry ruth said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 3:26 PMBobby can still drive and shown it with PI He deserves a ....good...ride....hope he gets it
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMarion Gainey 111 said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 3:28 PMGILLETT/PETTY RACING -2009 LINEUP
Report as AbuseKasey Kahne #9 Budweiser Dodge
Elliott Sadler #19 Stanley/Best Buy Dodge
Reed Sorensen #10 Air Force/Valvoline Dodge
AND....
AJ Allmendinger #43 McDonalds Dodge
This is no disrespect to Petty Enterprises or the Petty fans i am a petty fan this is what i think a meger line up will be.
GO GPR in 2009 !!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMarion Gainey 111 said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 3:28 PMGILLETT/PETTY RACING -2009 LINEUP
Report as AbuseKasey Kahne #9 Budweiser Dodge
Elliott Sadler #19 Stanley/Best Buy Dodge
Reed Sorensen #10 Air Force/Valvoline Dodge
AND....
AJ Allmendinger #43 McDonalds Dodge
This is no disrespect to Petty Enterprises or the Petty fans i am a petty fan this is what i think a meger line up will be.
GO GPR in 2009 !!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPhil Siders said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 3:52 PMAs usual Bobby Labonte handles this situation with class and dignity still in check. I hope he gets a good ride in time for the '09' season and shows the Petty's what a decent car can do for a great driver. Show me anyone that can do any better than what he has done in the equipment Petty has and I'll certainly be the first to aggree with the decision they made. Just the fact that Petty has to consider merging with another company shows their weakness in business savvy not to mention lack of loyalty to Bobby both legally and ethically. Merry Christmas to Bobby Labonte, all NASCAR fans, and Happy New Year to all!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportHoward Englishman said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 4:09 PMAs far as King Richard he is probadly out after this. Ray sold all of his ownership what was left last week to George, so he is completly out of the ownership deal. I look for the Petty name to fade away except for Kyle in the booth.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobert MILLER said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 4:12 PMAs far as P.E. goes if they merger with GEM Richard Petty could end up like Ray Evernham and be pushed farther out then Bostan Ventures has already push him.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbeth emerson said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 4:47 PMI like Bobby but this is good for him. I do not want to see him end up with EGr either. They stink to. Bobby made a mistake by resigning with petty. What happens to him now is his own fault.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMike Hill said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 5:21 PMOne Classy Texas gentleman. Deserves a top notch ride. I think Bobby will have no problem getting hooked up. Still has a lot left. Remember, ya all thought Elliott was done before going with Evernham and rebounding very well. Bobby will do the same.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportHoward Englishman said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 5:46 PMRay Evernham has nothing to do with any organization in NASCAR anymore he sold his remaining stock in the company last week and now owns a little track in NC.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBecky Deline said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 6:07 PMPetty lost the best thing that has happened to that team in a very long time.
Report as AbuseI know he'll find another ride real fast.
Wishing Bobby the best of luck. I'll be rooting for you.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJames Mogseth said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 6:09 PMI'd like to see Ray E. go with Richard and run the 43 with Ray as crew chief. Maybe they could talk with one of the up-n-coming drivers in NNS to be the driver. Wouldn't that be something. To have Ray come back and bring along another "new" talent to Sprint Cup racing and pull off a cup run. Come on Ray, go have a talk with Richard.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMarcelino Castro said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 6:14 PMDid you guys forget what happened with Ward Burton? yes probably as sad is it is that's the future for him almost all seats are taken, how about Bobby racing for Robbie Gordon second car team? like Robert MILLER said if they merger with GEM Richard Petty could end up like Ray Evernham and be pushed farther out by The Gillett family and Petty name will be History in other words Petty Enterprises is moving backwards.
Report as AbuseI hate to se this but if the merger happens in 2 or 3 years Petty's name in Nascar will be gone forever.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportLaDonna Balzer said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 7:02 PMMergers, franchises, downsizing; it's the new face of Nascar whether we like it or not...at least until and if the economy rebounds. IMO Bobby still has some great years of racing in him provided the equipment and team are there as well. He has always been one of my "secondary" drivers, and I wish him well wherever he ends up.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportCathy Rooks said:
Dec 11, 2008 at 8:08 PMSounds Kyle and Booby got shafted by the King! I am sorry but I think Richard screwed up when he let the Yankee's take over!! Bobby and Kyle I wish you both the best and Petty Enterprises I am sorry to say has went out to sea in Boston!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportKenny Brackett said:
Dec 12, 2008 at 9:01 AMBobby may have lost his shot with a top team after a mediocre showing every year since his championship.Seems once he got the prize, he lost a bit. I pulled for him 100% with the 43 but they just didnt have everything needed to be a winner.
Report as AbuseLong Live The King, Somewhere....
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» Confirm Abuse ReportDuff 65 said:
Dec 12, 2008 at 10:51 AMTo most people's dismay Reed Sorenson will be in the 43 in 2009 with Bumper to Bumper Parts/Air Force/PVA.org and other filler sponsors; the 10 will become the 43. If the sponsorship falls in place and it likely would for at least half of the year, AJ Allmadinger will drive the 44 McDonalds Dodge. It also sounds like this 'collision of change' between Petty and Gillett will have a name more respectful to the Petty name similiar to the Stewart Haas deal; Petty Gillett Motorsports maybe.
Report as AbuseBobby Labonte will go back in time like fifteen years or so when he drove the 22 in his rookie year; that is if Bill Davis Racing agrees to letting the number go to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. Target has shown interest in Bobby Labonte throughout the offseason and would be the best chance for Labonte to finish inside the top 20 in points for 2009.
The future of Bill Davis Racing in cup is as slim as Hall of Fame Racing whose shop is currently on the real estate market. I would not be surprised if Dave Blaney runs a full season in the Bill Davis Racing 22 truck and Tommy Baldwin gets a job with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing as Almirola's crew chief. All just opinions and assumptions based off what is being said around the garages in Carolina.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSteve Pawlowski said:
Dec 12, 2008 at 3:20 PMI hope Bobby finds himself a good ride. I spent the 2000 season hoping he would crash out of races(I was rooting for Dale.). Then my daughter decided to be a Bobby fan, so now I find myself wanting him to do good. I'd hate to see him go to DEI, Teresa is ruining a good thing. Good luck, Bobby.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAlan Watson said:
Dec 14, 2008 at 11:09 PMWhat happen to all the money, Boston Venture was going to bring to make Petty Ent. competative. I talked to a person in Petty Ent and asked that question and they did not know. I believe Boston Venture has made things worse at PE not better. I also blame nascar for the demise of PE. Watsons will always love BL KP RP and all of PE.
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» Confirm Abuse Report