Bobby Labonte leaves TRG Motorsports, will race for Robby Gordon at New Hampshire
Bobby Labonte already has the window net down as he heads to the garage at Dover. Labonte, who parted ways with TRG Motorsports, had parked early in three of the last five events. // Sam Cranston, NASCAR Illustrated
Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Sprint Cup Series champion, announced Wednesday that he had parted ways with TRG Motorsports effective immediately and will drive the No. 7 Robby Gordon Motorsports car this weekend at New Hampshire. Labonte will then drive for Phoenix Racing the next two weeks at Daytona and Chicagoland.
No sponsorship was announced for the one-race deal with Gordon, but Labonte – who parked early in three of his last five races with TRG – indicated the team will attempt to run the entire race. Gordon finished second last week at Infineon Raceway and has said he needs more sponsorship to compete in all of the races this year.
“I can’t thank Robby and his folks enough for this opportunity,” Labonte said. “We’re going to New Hampshire with the goal of having another solid run for his team. They had a great finish at Sonoma and have some momentum right now. I’m just thankful for the opportunity and hope to get another solid finish for his team.”
Labonte's departure from TRG ends a 10-month relationship he had with the team. He drove seven races for the TRG Motorsports at the end of the 2009 season, and with sponsorship from TaxSlayer.com for several races at the start of 2010, signed with the organization last November.
But sponsorship for the remainder of the 2010 races has not been secured, and the team had to park Labonte early last month at Dover and two other times this year.
He was 31st in points with no top-20 finishes in his 16 starts this season. The team and crew chief Doug Randolph parted ways a few weeks ago.
"I want to be in a position to win races and be competitive," Labonte said in a statement. "I have worked as hard as possible to give my best at the track so far this season. I'm now looking to move on and get back into a position to win races."
Labonte will step into the car for Gordon, whose team is 32nd in the owner standings.
“When we found out that Bobby was available to drive for us, we jumped at it,” Gordon said. “To have a past champion driving your car is a good opportunity. I think we can learn from him this weekend and it will help our program moving forward.”
After New Hampshire, Labonte will then drive at least two races for Phoenix Racing, which is not locked in the top 35 but will have access to Labonte's past champion's provisional.
"It's good to know that we'll have a past champion in our car for these two races," said Phoenix owner James Finch. "I've known Bobby for a while and he always works hard behind the wheel. This is a good opportunity for us to race for a win."
The 46-year-old Labonte has 21 career Cup victories but has not won a Cup race since 2003 and has not finished higher than 18th in the standings since leaving Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2005 season. He drove three years for Petty Enterprises and then drove last year for Hall of Fame Racing/Yates Racing and TRG. His last NASCAR victory came in 2007 when he won a Nationwide Series race while driving for Kevin Harvick Inc. at Talladega. Labonte is the only driver who has won both a Cup and Nationwide title.
TRG Motorsports owner Kevin Buckler said Wednesday morning he could not comment on Labonte's contract status. Andy Lally, who has 13 career Truck Series starts and a Cup start at Watkins Glen, posted on his website that, for now, he has a one-race deal to drive the No. 71 car. Dan Stillman will be the crew chief.
“This is obviously going to be a big challenge,” Lally said. “I am just going to try and feel things out and make the weekend as productive as I can.
“Without ever racing a COT on an oval before I will obviously be behind the curve a bit to say the least but my goal is to just try and stay out of trouble and not interrupt anyone else’s weekend. I know there are guys focusing on the Chase and I will pay extra attention to that.”
Lally is approved to run at New Hampshire, NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said.
