Even though his current contract did not run out until the end of the 2004 season, Bobby Labonte and Joe Gibbs Racing wasted little time in renegotiating their existing contract to keep Labonte in the #18 Chevrolet Monte Carlo through the end of the 2008 season. With the new contract signed, the goal of course for Labonte and Gibbs is to bring more victories and more championship rings home to Joe Gibbs Racing in the years to come. “I feel great that I know where I am going to be driving for quite a few more years,” said a very happy Labonte. “Joe, Pat, J.D. and Coy have all been wonderful to work with and work for and they have made me feel like a part of their family since day one. I am very blessed to have been able to drive for Joe and be a part of such a great organization. He has taught me a lot over the nine years I have been here, not only about myself, but also more importantly about being a good Christian, a good husband and a good father. The wins we have shared and the championship are really incredible, but I appreciate those life lessons he has taught me more than anything else. For Gibbs, the feelings are mutual. Having seen the good, the bad and the ugly in professional sports, Gibbs knows how lucky he is to have Labonte representing him and all of JGR’s sponsors. “Bobby is a class act,” boasted Gibbs. “He is a guy that every kid in the country can look up to and every parent can feel good about. He has done a superb job for us and I don’t think I could ever thank him enough for what he has meant to Joe Gibbs Racing. We are happy to be able to make this announcement about Bobby staying with us for a while and we hope that shows our level of commitment to the fans, our employees and most importantly our sponsors that we will continue to field the most competitive teams in the industry.”( Camp & Assoc./Joe Gibbs Racing PR )(6-26-2003)
