Bobby Labonte Out At Yates ?

Looks like Jack Roush put Erik Darnell in the #96 for 7 races ( obviously to protect rookie status ) and now Bobby Labonte is looking for a ride. His PCP will probably get him something .

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shop Goddess on August 31, 2009 at 2:45pm

Wow, kind of stinks when someone else's 'looking to the future' affects your 'here and now'.

Hope he lands another ride.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keith on August 31, 2009 at 3:10pm

Rousch........!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by TobaccoRoad on August 31, 2009 at 4:13pm

$$$$ decision. Money talked, Bobby walks.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rob Hoban on August 31, 2009 at 4:36pm

Bobby had no choice. There were unsponsored races that were pretty much sold to someone in the Rousch camp that brought along some sponsorship dollars. There is no driver loyalty in NASCAR, it is all about who brings in the $$ from a sponsor.

If Bobby could bring the sponsorship, maybe he can fill a 2nd RGM Toyota. First 5 races are a lock (past champion) and Bobby could certainly bring experience along. Fans and media love him and he tells it like it is. He'd fit right in!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on August 31, 2009 at 5:51pm

I'd like to see RGM field a car on a consistant basis for 2010, but how Rob goes about trying to do is it the question. If it makes sense he'll do it is the general concensus around here.

How about this for a scenario:

Put Bobby Labonte in the #04? for the first 5 races of the year to get the PCP, assuming Hall of fame racing does not retain Bobby's services. Hopefully he'd get the car in the top 35 in points. Any races there after will be based on the driver who can bring sponsorship dollars to the table, again assuming that RGM cannot find full time sponsorship. There's a whole list of drivers that could give positive feedback on how the car drives/handles that could be benefical to RGM's engineering department. Villeneuve can bring sponsorship for a couple races, put him in the car. Carpentier, Kvapil, Leffler, Almirola, or Riggs can bring some $$, put them in the car. Even if J.J. Yeley can bring some bucks I'd let him race. I let even a young upcoming racer like Ickler or Bires just to get some on track time. Now I know what your thinking, these guys are going to tear up some equipment and end up costing RGM more than they are worth. Maybe they will. But what I am looking at is RGM preparing to field a full time effort in 2011, with only one driver, and 2010 acting a an extended testing session for the new car, and for the primary team. The experts? are saying that summer of 2010 is when the economy will be in the upswing again, and having a second team prepared would make it easier to attract potential sponsors than a start-up team.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Zippy on August 31, 2009 at 6:02pm

I can't ever remember a race there was no Labonte. Whats wrong with this sport ? No Petty (wheeling a car), No North Wilkesboro, No Pontiac. No Tide !! Very sad.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Morgan on August 31, 2009 at 6:28pm

Reminds me, I haven't seen any of those funny ask.com commercials lately.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jaci on August 31, 2009 at 7:11pm

Hall of Fame Racing interested in Bobby Labonte for 2010; expects Yates deal to end

http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/sprintcupseries/Hall_of_Fam...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by C2B on August 31, 2009 at 7:55pm

RGM needs Bobby for 6 races. if he is in the top 35, go until he gets out of the top 35 and then Terry Labonte, he's got 6 provisionals. As you can see we are already at least a 1/3 through the season. I think they could get sponsorship for races. Wait Dale Jarrett, they love him at UPS and he's got 6 races, Rusty can get his kid sponsorship, he can certainly bring his own. They could even rename it Robby Gordon Championship (provisional for the second car) Racing, without Felix Sabates. I think I have a winning strategy and all of these guys should be able to give good feedback on the cars, as they are all former champions.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ben Cartwright on August 31, 2009 at 8:27pm

Bobby is my second favorite driver behind Robby, I hope he gets a good ride I hate seeing him go nowhere with lesser teams.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by gorobbygo7 on August 31, 2009 at 8:46pm

Hall Of Fame racing wants to keep Bobby, but it wil not be with Yates. Why not give Bobby a shot to run as part of RGM with Ask.com?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on August 31, 2009 at 10:27pm

Other reports have Max (Yates Racing) trying to keep Jamie McMurray and sponsor Ask.com by putting them together. Darnell looks like a back up plan if McMurray instead bolts to EGR.

Either way, Hall of Fame is out and will be looking, if they have a sponsor they'll find another team no problem, but without a sponsor they'll have a hard time.