Bobby Labonte’s Sprint Cup career took another sharp turn Tuesday, with the 2000 Cup Series champion agreeing to drive the No. 96 Fords for Hall of Fame Racing, which has a new association with Yates Racing.
Labonte and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing were working on a deal that would have put Labonte in the No. 8 Chevrolets. The future of that car now is in question.
Labonte was scheduled for a lunch meeting with officials at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing on Tuesday. But shortly before the meeting, informed the organization he had signed with Yates/Hall of Fame, sources said.
The No. 96 is likely to take the owner points from Yates’ No. 38 team, with which David Gilliland drove in 2008 for much of the season without a full-time sponsor. Sources also said that Yates’ No. 28 car, currently driven last season by Travis Kvapil, currently does not have the necessary funding to run the entire 2009 season.
Labonte was released from his contract with Petty Enterprises last month. He was driver of the famed No. 43 car for three seasons.
Hall of Fame Racing, formed by former NFL quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, made its NASCAR debut in the 2006 Daytona 500. Two-time Cup Series champion Terry Labonte finished 17th in that race. Labonte and Tony Raines shared the car in 2006, with Raines taking over full-time in ‘07.
Several drivers were behind the wheel of the No. 96 last year, most notably J.J. Yeley and Ken Schrader, but none have the track record of Bobby Labonte.
He has 21 wins, 113 top-five finishes and 197 top-10s in 546 starts in the Cup Series. In addition to the 2000 series championship, Labonte has finished in the top 10 in points seven times in 16 full seasons.
Yates general manager Max Jones said the alliance would help Yates continue its growth. The team was restructured in late 2007 when Doug Yates bought out his father, Robert, and formed a partnership with Roush Fenway Racing.
“This partnership with Hall of Fame is a great stepping stone for the Yates organization,” Jones said. “Through this partnership, we are able to continue the expansion of our shop and field another Sprint Cup entry. We, along with Ford Racing, welcome Hall of Fame Racing and look forward to a very successful season.”
| 
|