Labonte to leave Petty for RCR

Bobby Labonte has not yet signed a contract for 2009 and beyond, according to a statement released by his public relations firm.

Labonte is in the last season of his contract with Petty Enterprises, and the 2000 Cup champion is considered a heavy favorite to go to Richard Childress Racing’s fourth team next year.

General Mills, which currently sponsors Labonte’s car at Petty Enterprises, will move from the Pettys to that fourth RCR Sprint Cup car
beginning in 2009.

Amid speculation that Labonte has decided to move with General Mills to RCR next year, the statement that was released out of the Labonte camp did not indicate whether Labonte has made a decision about his future but did say that he had “made no contractual agreements for any team beyond 2008."

Petty Enterprises has offered Labonte a contract extension but Labonte has not accepted the offer. In this third year at Petty Enterprises, Labonte has yet to win in 78 starts. He finished 21st in points in 2006 and 18th in points in 2007. Scenedaily.com