Bobby Labonte will drive a Ford for first time since 1993

By Jared Turner - SceneDaily Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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Hall of Fame Racing's Bobby Labonte will drive a Ford for the first time since 1993.

David Griffin
NASCAR Scene

CONCORD, N.C. - Bobby Labonte's move to Hall of Fame Racing for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season will reunite the driver with the auto manufacturer he broke into the sport’s top ranks with.

Hall of Fame is switching from Toyota to Ford for the upcoming season as part of a new technical alliance with Yates Racing, a Ford team, which already has a longstanding engine alliance in place with another Ford group in Roush Fenway Racing.

Labonte hasn't raced a Ford in the Cup series since his rookie season of 1993, when he drove for Bill Davis Racing, but he says he’s looking forward to joining forces with the manufacturer again.

"It's exciting to me," the 2000 Cup champion said during Tuesday's Sprint Media Tour presented by Lowe's Motor Speedway. "You chase them [Fords] on Sundays, and you kind of wonder what they've got. Just to be hooked up with [Hall of Fame Racing co-owner] Tom [Garfinkel] and [Yates Racing co-owner] Doug [Yates] and Yates engines and obviously the affiliation that they have with Jack [Roush’s] group as far as chassis and stuff like that, it's going to be great for me to understand more about what goes on and what takes place. I know that there's a lot more that I'll learn throughout the next few weeks before we get to Daytona and then after Daytona, obviously."

Labonte's most recent manufacturer pairing was with Dodge, which he drove while competing for Petty Enterprises the past three seasons. Prior to his move to Petty, Labonte drove Pontiacs and then Chevrolets for Joe Gibbs Racing. In his lone season with Ford at Bill Davis Racing, Labonte scored six top-10s and one pole on the way to finishing runnerup to Jeff Gordon for top rookie honors.

"I drove a Ford my first year in the Cup Series in '93," Labonte said. "This is a great opportunity for me. I guess that means I didn't burn a bridge when that deal went down, when [team owner] Bill [Davis] changed over to Pontiac. I tried always to not burn a bridge. I'm very excited about it. I think I've driven for every manufacturer now - I can say that. So I'm going back for round two."

Mentioned Drivers: Bobby Labonte

Comments

8 responses to "Bobby Labonte will drive a Ford for first time since 1993". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    teresa beachler said:
    Jan 20, 2009 at 11:13 AM

    This is good for Bobby, and we all know what those Yates/Roush motors are capable of. Im glad he away from Petty and can start winning again.

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  2. 2
    Pat Draper said:
    Jan 20, 2009 at 1:47 PM

    Yea i agree those Yates/Roush motors are good, you have proof of that with Carl and Greg. So now its time for Bobby to step up and see what he can do in his new Ford. I do hope this is a step up for him, he needs that now.

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  3. 3
    steve kopecy said:
    Jan 20, 2009 at 4:13 PM

    WELCOME BACK HOME BOBBY!

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  4. 4
    Sheila Hawley said:
    Jan 20, 2009 at 4:31 PM

    Let's bring that 2000 year back for Bobby. He was awesome!

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  5. 5
    Anonymous said:
    Jan 21, 2009 at 12:10 AM

    Best of luck to Bobby...can't wait to see him in Victory Lane...it is way past due....I know it would be a very popular win.....

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  6. 6
    Jim Bayliss said:
    Jan 21, 2009 at 12:40 AM

    GO BOBBY! First On Race Day.

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  7. 7
    Robert Porter said:
    Jan 21, 2009 at 9:42 AM

    Great to have Bobby back !! Too bad it took so long. This guy can get it done for Ford & Yates. Another real threat for the Chevs & rice burners.

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  8. 8
    Art Sheeler said:
    Jan 21, 2009 at 9:43 AM

    Once a Ford man they always come back to Ford.All the best in your new ride.

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2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings

Driver Standings after the AMP Energy 500

1 Jimmie Johnson 6248
2 Mark Martin -184
3 Jeff Gordon -192
4 Juan Pablo Montoya -239
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6 Kurt Busch -312
7 Greg Biffle -340
8 Ryan Newman -402
9 Kasey Kahne -414
10 Carl Edwards -437
11 Denny Hamlin -448
12 Brian Vickers -556

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