Labonte re-signs with Petty?
Labonte, speaking prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pit Crew Challenge, said he is likely within two or three weeks of having final answers concerning his driving career beyond this season.
“We’re trying to get things squared away at Pettys, like I’ve always said," Labonte said. “But obviously we have to get that done. In a couple of weeks, three weeks maybe, we’ll have a lot more answers. … Right now, I’m pretty much at ease.
"… It’s just a matter of things happening that’s going to take place, whether you like it or not. I’m about to the point if it happens, it happens and if it doesn’t, you do something different. I’m not worried about that as much as the talk about it from the outside trying to make sure that the guys that come to work, that they don’t read the paper and say, ‘What’s going to happen?’ "
Labonte’s sponsor, General Mills, is heading to Richard Childress Racing next year, and it has been speculated that Labonte would join the company. But Petty Enterprises officials have said they’re confident Labonte would return and Labonte has said nothing to indicate he is leaving.
“Nothing is done yet – nothing that can be [said] because of the implications [on] people," Labonte said. “We can’t implicate people that are doing things that will [mess] them up and our own position. I have nothing to report yet. Hopefully in the next few weeks, it will be a lot more well known.
“But right now, we’re trying to make sure we’re doing the right thing at the No. 43 car." More at Scenedaily.com
05/04/08 When asked if he had made a decision about his future, Labonte said: “I haven’t. Nothing from me from my mouth has said that I’ve done that. Until then, stay tuned. There’s opportunities and a lot of things right now. “We’ll just kind of weigh some options out and see what’s there."
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| Bobby Labonte |
05/04/08 Bobby Labonte became the latest driver to take himself off the free-agent market, agreeing to a contract extension with Petty Enterprises, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The former Cup Series champion had been considering an extension since late last year and decided this week to continue driving the famed No. 43 Dodge.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Saturday because portions of the deal, including sponsorship, are still being completed.
Labonte, who starts 39th in Saturday night's race at Richmond International Raceway, was not immediately available for comment.
David Hovis, a spokesman for Petty Enterprises, said the team had nothing to announce Saturday about Labonte's future.
"We still remain 100 percent convinced that Bobby will be with Petty Enterprises next season," Hovis said. More at AP article