Hard Turn
by Jeff Owens
Should Labonte follow General Mills to RCR?
April 3, 2008
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With General Mills leaving Petty Enterprises for Richard Childress Racing after this season, it appears that Bobby Labonte may follow his sponsor to RCR.
Should he?
Labonte will no doubt get some heat for the move, bailing on a team and family he joined out of loyalty, and taking its sponsor with him.
But, it’s clearly time for Labonte to move on.
Labonte has won 21 Cup races and the 2000 championship. But at age 44, his time in NASCAR’s top series is running out.
If he plans to win again before his career is over, he needs to make a move now that will enhance those chances.
Labonte has given Petty Enterprises two good years, and vows he will give it his all during his final season.
But the Petty organization has gotten only slightly better with Labonte, and appears to be no closer to winning again.
Labonte, meanwhile, has struggled for more than four years now. His last win came in 2003, when he finished eighth in points.
At 44, his chances of winning again and returning to the top 10 are growing slim.
If he joins RCR, at least Labonte can spend the final few years of his career with a legitimate chance to return to victory lane and possibly go out a winner.
RCR put all three of its drivers in the Chase last year and stands a good chance to do it again this year. Though it is starting a new, fourth team, it has the resources to give Labonte the equipment and team he needs to succeed.
You can’t blame him for taking advantage of that.
Should he?
Labonte will no doubt get some heat for the move, bailing on a team and family he joined out of loyalty, and taking its sponsor with him.
But, it’s clearly time for Labonte to move on.
Labonte has won 21 Cup races and the 2000 championship. But at age 44, his time in NASCAR’s top series is running out.
If he plans to win again before his career is over, he needs to make a move now that will enhance those chances.
Labonte has given Petty Enterprises two good years, and vows he will give it his all during his final season.
But the Petty organization has gotten only slightly better with Labonte, and appears to be no closer to winning again.
Labonte, meanwhile, has struggled for more than four years now. His last win came in 2003, when he finished eighth in points.
At 44, his chances of winning again and returning to the top 10 are growing slim.
If he joins RCR, at least Labonte can spend the final few years of his career with a legitimate chance to return to victory lane and possibly go out a winner.
RCR put all three of its drivers in the Chase last year and stands a good chance to do it again this year. Though it is starting a new, fourth team, it has the resources to give Labonte the equipment and team he needs to succeed.
You can’t blame him for taking advantage of that.
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