Bobby Labonte to the #43 Petty Enterprises ride Jeff Green would vacate [for the #0 Chevy].(Sporting News)(10-17-2005)
UPDATE: Speed Channel’s Bob Dillner reported on Saturday’s Speed News that he is hearing Bobby Labonte will go to Petty Enterprises and drive the famed #43 Dodge….while I WAS hearing he would go to Ganassi Racing in the #42, it seems that deal broke down and ALSO hearing Labonte could end up in the #22 Caterpillar Dodge….looks like the Dodge part is a lock.(11-6-2005)
UPDATE 2 – Yeley to the #18? #18-Bobby Labonte has refused for several months to talk about his future plans, and he has become increasingly testy when pressed on the issue. Labonte is being actively wooed by both Bill Davis and Kyle Petty for 2006, and Joe Gibbs, Labonte’s current car owner, has been told that Labonte won’t be back, according to sources. Gibbs has tentatively set a press conference for next week at Phoenix to announce J. J. Yeley as Labonte’s replacement, regardless of which direction Labonte takes.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-7-2005)
UPDATE 3: Bobby Labonte and Joe Gibbs Racing will conclude an 11-year relationship at the end of the 2005 NEXTEL Cup Series season, Labonte and officials from JGR announced Nov. 7. Labontes future plans, as well as a replacement driver for the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet, will be announced at a later date. I regret to say that this is the final year that I will be at Joe Gibbs Racing, Labonte said. One of the things that made this decision so difficult was thinking of all the fans that have supported me at JGR throughout the past 11 years. This relationship has lasted a long time, and I hate that it has to end. Joe Gibbs and his family gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, and I want to thank them, and all the employees at JGR, for 11 years of hard work. I will always cherish the times at JGR, and the only thing that I regret is that we didnt win more races and or championships. I wish everyone at JGR continued success in the future and I want to thank J.D. (Gibbs, president of JGR) for giving me the chance to be released from my contract early and letting me pursue other opportunities.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(11-7-2005)
