Richard Childress Racing could be bringing in that fourth car that they tried to unsuccessfully land for 2008 quicker than anticipated.Yahoo! Sports' Bob Margolis reports that he has a source saying Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Sprint Cup Champion, will move from Petty Enterprises to the RCR stable beginning in 2009. From Yahoo!'s Margolis:
"Richard Childress acknowledged that his organization is close to fielding a fourth team in the Sprint Cup Series, and Yahoo! Sports has learned that the driver of that car beginning in 2009 likely will be Bobby Labonte.This report, it if holds true, might set the record for the quickest time in which NASCAR's silly season -- the time when drivers and teams swap around -- has started.
Sources close to the deal point to General Mills, Labonte's current sponsor with Petty Enterprises, coming along with him to RCR.
According to Childress, he will field a fourth car sometime this season, though he wouldn't set an exact time frame. He did say things were progressing well and that he was pleased with how plans were coming together.
"We're looking at entering a few races before the end of the season," Childress said."
Labonte would be a great pickup for RCR's operations, especially if he can bring along a sponsorship. On the other hand, it would be a huge blow to Petty Enterprises.
I'm still taking this report as a grain of salt because Childress' quote isn't directly aimed at the report and during the Dale Earnhardt Jr. circus in 2007, Yahoo!'s coverage had some inaccurate reports coming out about the specifics.
2008 may have changed that, but we'll see. Look for this story to gather steam this weekend.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-23-2008 @ 10:54AM
Rusty@therustygourmet.com said...
Let's keep our fingers crossed on this one. Bobby deserves it.
Reply
2-23-2008 @ 11:41AM
rob said...
As much as I hate to see Petty Enterprises hurt, Bobby deserves a ride that is capable of winning. I hope for his sake that this rumor is true.
Reply
2-24-2008 @ 1:32AM
Don Emerson said...
Hope it works out for Bobby too. he's a really nice guy and a heck of a driver. Stick a fork in Petty racing, they're done. They have been stuck in a time warp since the real world left them behind years ago. Without Dodge and it's backing, Richard Petty was just one of a number of good drivers around at the time. David Pearson drove circles around him while using inferior equipment. Works for me....
Reply
2-24-2008 @ 8:43AM
john said...
would really like to see bobby stay and give petty a shot with the new shop and try to help make petty ent the team is should be . bring back the times that petty was driving . yes pearson was a good driver as were many guys back then but richard was a driver that was unique . he had the fan following (just as JR) he did alot for the sport don't put him down
john
Reply
2-25-2008 @ 8:21AM
john wilson said...
what ever is best for bobby...
Reply
2-26-2008 @ 8:26PM
CBR said...
I sure hope this goes through because the past 3 years have been painful seeing bobby race in a car with no power, and with a team who hasnt seen victory lane for a longgggg time. Bobby needs to break that 5 year winless streak and he would definitly have a better chance with RCR then Petty. It is a big blow to Petty but bobby deserves better than petty. Too bad he has to bring General Mills with him and horrible shade of yellow.... You go Bobby.
Reply
2-29-2008 @ 7:03PM
BillfromColumbus said...
After seeing Bobby struggle for a number of years, and not winning, I think it's about time he kicks Petty Enterprises to the curb. It was the biggest mistake he could've made to go with that 43 team. It doesnt really make sense, how a driver that won at least 2 races a year, can go to have a 5 year winless streak. Bobby deserves better than Petty, GO RCR!
Reply