Terry Labonte is expected to substitute for Jason Leffler in the #11 Fed-Ex Chevy in the June 26 race at Sonoma if Leffler fails to climb into the top 35 in points by then. Drivers in the top 35 are guaranteed starting spots. Labonte is the safety net for the team because he has a champion’s provisional, which guarantees him a starting spot. Leffler has run just one road course race, a Busch race in 2000 at Watkins Glen. Leffler crashed at Pocono but remained in the same points position, 36th, meaning he has to improve by one spot Sunday at Michigan to lock in for the race at Sonoma. Leffler says he has wrecked so many cars that “we’re bringing cars back to the track that aren’t in the best shape” because the fab shop hasn’t had enough turnaround time.(Sporting News)(6-13-2005)
UPDATE: Joe Gibbs Racing has hired two-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Terry Labonte to pilot the #11 Fed-Ex Chevrolet during the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. He replaces Jason Leffler, the #11 team’s regular driver, for this one event. “Jason understands that our support of him continues, as he’ll race this weekend at Michigan and return to the #11 at Daytona,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “A number of factors led to this decision. Where the #11 is in points, the typically high car count at Sonoma, the number of road course specialists other teams tend to enlist, the unique nature of road course racing – none favors a team outside the top-35 in points. With an experienced veteran in Terry, the #11 will benefit from his 25 years of Nextel Cup racing and his strong performances at road course venues.” In addition to his championship-caliber talents, Labonte also brings road course success to the #11 team. Of his 22 career wins, two have come at a road course – the defunct Riverside (Calif.) Speedway in 1984 and 1985. And in his 54 career starts at road courses, Labonte has earned eight poles, 17 top-fives and 26 top-10s while leading a total of 411 laps. “I’ve always enjoyed road course racing, and while no road courses were planned for this year, it’s hard to say no when you have the opportunity to drive for an organization that’s just as professional as Hendrick Motorsports,” said Labonte, who is running a limited Nextel Cup schedule for Hendrick Motorsports. “We want to thank Hendrick Motorsports for allowing Terry to assist us with the #11 team at Sonoma,” said Gibbs. “Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports helped get Joe Gibbs Racing up and running when we formed this team back in 1991, and 14 years later, we’re once again appreciative of their help.”(True Speed Communication/Hendrick Motorsports PR)(6-14-2005)
