Bobby Labonte signs extension with Petty Enterprises
Petty Enterprises announced this morning that they have resigned Bobby Labonte to a four-year contract extension to drive the No. 43 Dodge Charger. “I have known all along this is where I want to finish my racing career,” said Labonte. “The future is very bright for Petty Enterprises. As we continue to develop and learn from this new car we will increase our testing and engineering support. The investment from Boston Ventures will allow us to compete on the same level as the bigger Sprint Cup teams.” There is still no word on who will sponsor that car. General Mills, Labonte's current sponsor, will be moving Richard Childress Racing at the end of this season.
Press conference called to discuss future of Petty Enterprises
A press conference has been called for Wednesday, June 11 to discuss the future of Petty Enterprises. Heading up the list of potential topics are two items that could have a significant impact on the future of the company: 1) the successful resigning of Bobby Labonte, 2) selling a controlling stake of the company to Boston Ventures, a Boston-based private equity firm that specializes in media, publishing and information, entertainment and communications transactions. Petty Enterprises will follow Roush Fenway Racing and Gillett Evernham Motorsports in bringing in outside investment to compete at a high level. "For us to grow and to be involved in it, then we have to make changes according to what the circumstances are," said Richard Petty. "It's just a different world out there than it was five years ago, 10 years ago."
Bobby Labonte may stay at Petty
Bobby Labonte has agreed to a contract extension, according to a report by The Associated Press, citing an unidentified source. The report also stated that portions of the deal, including sponsorship, are still being completed.
Robbie Loomis, team executive for Petty Enterprises, wouldn't confirm or deny the report Saturday at Richmond. Loomis did say: "I'm 100 percent confident Bobby Labonte is going to be with us, moving forward.'' (From HamptonRoads.com)
Comments (279)Driver Comments from Talladega
Tags: bobby labonte, aric almirola, kasey kahne, kyle petty, kyle busch, tony stewart, greg biffle, robby gordon, ryan newman, elliott sadler
Chevy
comments from Joe Nemechek
comments from Aric Almirola, Paul Menard, Martin Truex Jr.
Dodge
comments from Robby Gordon
comments from Kyle Petty and Bobby Labonte
comments from Ryan Newman
comments from Sam Hornish Jr.
comments from Kurt Busch
comments from Kasey Kahne
comments from Elliot Sadler
Ford
comments from David Ragan
comments from Greg Biffle
comments from Jamie McMurray
Toyota
comments from Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin
comments from Tony Stewart
Driver comments from Texas
Tags: bobby labonte, kevin harvick, jeff gordon, jeff burton, clint bowyer, jimmie johnson, mark martin, kyle busch, tony stewart, patrick carpentier
Chevy:
comments from Mark Martin, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, Dale Jr., Jimmie Johnson, and Jeff Gordon
comments from DEI team
Dodge:
comments from Bobby Labonte
comments from Robby Gordon
comments from Elliot Sadler
comments from Patrick Carpentier
comments from Ryan Newman
comments from Sam Hornish, Jr.
comments from Kurt Busch
Ford:
Toyota:
comments from Denny Hamlin
comments from Kyle Busch
comments from Tony Stewart
comments from J.J. Yeley
comments from Dave Blaney
Details, Drivers announced for Prelude to a Dream
Tags: bobby labonte, kevin harvick, aric almirola, local tracks, kasey kahne, jeff gordon, jeff burton, ken schrader, clint bowyer, jimmie johnson
April 4, 2008 // FORT WORTH, Texas -- A supernova of racing talent will again descend upon the Field of Dreams that is Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, on June 4 when the dirt that made champions out of A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti hosts today's racing stars at the fourth annual Old Spice Prelude to the Dream.
For those not lucky enough to grab a seat for the dirt late-model race featuring more than 25 world renowned drivers as they battle for dirt supremacy, HBO Pay-Per-View will present the event live to the entire nation. Proceeds from this telecast will support construction of Victory Junction Gang Camp II in Kansas City, as well as the Tony Stewart Foundationexternal link.
The all-star race will feature such racing icons as Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, Bobby Labonte and more. All will pilot 2,300-pound dirt late-model stock cars capable of putting out more than 800 horsepower. Additionally, J.J. Yeley, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, Bill Elliott, Dave Blaney, Aric Almirola, Ron Capps, Cruz Pedregon, Ray Evernham, Red Farmer, Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace have also committed to the Old Spice Prelude to the Dream.
Drivers from all types of disciplines, some with lots of dirt-track experience and others with hardly any, will participate in hot laps, qualifying, heat races and the 30-lap feature on the half-mile clay oval, all of which will be televised live on HBO. (From EldoraSpeedway.com)
Comments (0)Bobby Labonte moving to RCR
According to Yahoo! Sports, Bobby Labonte will move over to Richard Childress Racing with the General Mills (Betty Crocker/Cheerios) sponsorship and drive the #33 Chevy Impala in 2009.
But sources close to the negotiations continue to confirm to Yahoo! Sports that a deal between Childress and Labonte is done.
Comments (9)Texas Motor Speedway schedule and driver appearances
Tags: bobby labonte, kevin harvick, aric almirola, clint bowyer, kenny wallace, casey mears, carl edwards, patrick carpentier, regan smith, texas motor speedway
Texas Motor Speedway Schedule
Thursday (4/3/08)
10:30 a.m.: Gate 4 opens
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: NASCAR Nationwide Series practice
1-2 p.m.: Nationwide Series practice
6 p.m.: Qualifying for the Nationwide Series O'Reilly 300
8 p.m.: Fandango (open to season ticket holders only)
Friday (4/4/08)
11 a.m.: Gates 1-8, 11, north tunnel, luxury suites and Victory Lane Club open
Noon-1:30 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice
3:40 p.m.: Qualifying for Sprint Cup Series Samsung 500
After qualifying: Texas Motor Speedway's Rockin' Roundup starring Big & Rich (frontstretch)
Saturday (4/5/08)
9 a.m.: Gates 1-8, 11, north tunnel, luxury suites and Victory Lane Club open
11-11:45 a.m.: Sprint Cup practice
12:20-1:20 p.m.: Sprint Cup final practice
2 p.m.: NASCAR Nationwide Series O'Reilly 300 (200 laps/300 miles; TV: ESPN2; Radio: KLLI/105.3 FM)
6 p.m.: Legends Races on 1/5 -mile at Lil' Texas track
Sunday (4/6/08)
9 a.m.: Gates 1-11, north tunnel, luxury suites and Victory Lane Club open
1 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Samsung 500 (334 laps/501 miles; TV: KDFW/Ch. 4; Radio: KLLI/105.3 FM)
Post race: Legends Races on 1/4 -mile oval, superspeedway
DRIVER APPEARANCES
Wednesday (4/2/08)
Kenny Wallace and Brad Coleman, Southlake Carroll Senior HS, 4-6 p.m.
David Ragan and Jeff Hammond, Discount Tire, 2055 W. State Hwy. 114 in Grapevine, 4-6 p.m.
Thursday (4/3/08)
Patrick Carpentier, Speedzone, 11130 Malibu Dr., Dallas, 5 p.m.
Friday (4/4/08)
Brad Coleman, Brookshire's tent store near the Turn 3 campgrounds at TMS, 2-2:30 p.m.
David Ragan, Speedzone, 11130 Malibu Dr., Dallas, 5 p.m.
Kevin Harvick, Regan Smith, Casey Mears, Aric Almirola, Jeremy Mayfield and Scott Riggs, Chevy Thunder at the Stockyards, Fort Worth, 6-8 p.m. One hundred autograph passes per driver will be distributed at 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Bobby Labonte, Sam's Club, 1701 W. State Hwy. 114, Grapevine, 6-8 p.m.
Carl Edwards, Office Depot, 1317 W. State Hwy. 114, Grapevine, 6-8 p.m. Only 250 wristbands will be handed out at 7 a.m. on April 4 at the store.
Clint Bowyer, Mesquite Championship Rodeo, Resistol Arena, 7-8 p.m.
Saturday (4/5/08)
Brad Keselowski, Navy display, TMS frontstretch midway, 10:45-11:15 a.m.
Sunday (4/6/08)
Casey Mears, No. 5 souvenir trailer, TMS frontstretch midway, 9 a.m.
Martinsville: team and driver post race comments (3/30/08)
Tags: bobby labonte, jeff gordon, jeff burton, clint bowyer, michael mcdowell, tony stewart, robby gordon, dave blaney, toyota, denny hamlin
Ford Racing:
comments from Jamie McMurray, David Ragan, and Matt Kenseth (from FordRacing.com)
Chevy Racing:
comments from Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon (from GeneralMotors.com)
comments from Clint Bowyer (from RCRRacing.com)
Dodge Racing:
comments from Robby Gordon (from RobbyGordon.com)
comments from Bobby Labonte (from PettyEnterprises.com)
comments from Kurt Busch (from PenskeRacing.com)
comments from Sam Hornish Jr. (from PenskeRacing.com)
comments from Ryan Newman (from PenskeRacing.com)
Toyota Racing:
comments from Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart, Brian Vickers, Michael McDowell, Mike Skinner, and Dave Blaney (from ToyotaPitpass.com)
comments from Tony Stewart (from JoeGibbsRacing.com)
comments from J.J. Yeley (from HallOfFameRacing.com)