#43-Bobby Labonte was scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway, Thursday, Dec 15th, but weather cancelled the test session, Labonte is now scheduled to test on Tuesday, Dec 20th, with #18-J.J. Yeley and #5-Kyle Busch scheduled to test next Wednesday [12/21] and Thursday [12/22]. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentucky Speedway)(12-15-205)
UPDATE: Crew chief Todd Parrott and driver Bobby Labonte ushered in a new era for the storied Petty Enterprises #43 Nextel Cup Series car with a test at Kentucky Speedway today. Labonte, the 2000 series champion who finished 24th in the 2005 standings with Joe Gibbs Racing, and Parrott, who helped Dale Jarrett win the 1999 series title with Robert Yates Racing, will join new Exec. VP of Operations Robbie Loomis, who guided Jeff Gordon to 23 wins and the 2001 championship with Hendrick Motorsports, in an attempt to rejuvenate a Petty program that hasn’t scored a series race win since Loomis last worked there in 1999. Temperatures in the low to mid 20s didn’t curb the enthusiasm both crew chief and driver expressed for their new project during their first test together. The new team agreed that the focus of the one-day test was to begin to establish solid team communications. “It’s different,” Labonte said. “I was kind of jittery at first because it’s been 11 years since I’ve had anything like this go on. It’s a little too cold here for me, but, so far, so good. I’m just real excited to work with Todd and all these guys. Hopefully, I understand Todd and when I talk, he can understand the language I’m talking. For us, today is about getting a feel for everybody and everybody getting a feel for Todd. He’s the main character here that everyone will have to look up to. When I’m on the racetrack, they’ve got to know what to do next and he’s the guy leading them.”
Robert Yates Racing joined the test. Drivers Matt McCall, Steven Leicht, and Justin Diercks split time in a research and development car. Testing is scheduled to continue Dec. 21 and Dec. 22 when Kyle Busch and his #5 Hendrick Motorsports machine share track time with J.J. Yeley and his #18 Joe Gibbs Racing ride.(Kentucky Speedway)(12-21-2005)
