[Jeffrey4396]

I didn't think this would start until mid season, but hell I'd take it now if it is true. This just in on Jayski's:

Labonte to RCR in 2009? Richard Childress acknowledged that his organization is close to fielding a fourth team in the Sprint Cup Series, and Yahoo! Sports has learned that the driver of that car beginning in 2009 likely will be Bobby Labonte [currently #43 Petty Enterprises]. Sources close to the deal point to General Mills, Labonte's current sponsor with Petty Enterprises, coming along with him to RCR. According to Childress, he will field a fourth car sometime this season, though he wouldn't set an exact time frame. He did say things were progressing well and that he was pleased with how plans were coming together. "We're looking at entering a few races before the end of the season," Childress said. Childress entered a fourth car (#33) in selected races in 2007 with Scott Wimmer as the driver. Wimmer likely is the choice to be behind the wheel when the car makes it back onto the track this season. However, Labonte likely will be the full-time driver in 2009. Hiring Labonte would be an ace up the sleeve for RCR. Labonte is a past champion, which means he would get a champion's provisional that would guarantee him a spot in the field at the start of the '09 season. Labonte already has a relationship with Childress, having signed with RCR this year to drive the #21 Nationwide car on a part-time basis this season.(Yahoo Sports)(2-23-200

If this is true this would be a huge blow to the Pettys. They would lose both their best driver and their sponsor. Being a Labonte fan first I really don't care as long as Bobby gets in better equipment. Plus this would put him back in a Chevy. I hope this is true and I can't wait for it to happen.

[Phils20]

I would be OK with Bobby going to RCR, but I don't like him taking the sponsor, if true. I sure don't want to ruin PE.

[Quality88]

PE doesn't need this now. They are just makin strides to get the ship righted. I can handle Bobby goin to Childress, and I believe it would put a fire back into him like it did for Burton. I don't like the idea of a sponsor goin with him though.

[PettyBlue]

Drivers are what matter to Petty not getting sponsors.The KING will get those anyway,no matter what happens with Wall Street.

[Jeffrey4396]

I understand it will be difficult for PE. I don't know if I just have hard feelings towards them because it seems they haven't done enough to get Bobby in better equipment. I just feel they have brought them on their selves. I understand they are doing alot to get everything better. It just seems like too little too late to me. They should have moved their shop long time ago.

I have always been a Labonte fan first and a fan of who he drives for second. I just want him to be running up front consistanly again. He needs to be with a team that has the personel and resources in house to get him running up front. Not a team that has to purchase second hand equipment from other teams.

I never agreed with the move to PE, but I understand it. Bobby wanted to build something again like he built that 18 team. I think now he would just rather be running up front then be building a subpar team. Maybe one day PE will be back on top. Bobby just doesn't have much time to sit around and wait for it.

If this does go down I see PE merging with GEM. Maybe something along the lines of GEM w/PE, so PE can keep some of that identity. PE should have merged with them last already as well.

[wingkey1]

Real mixed emotions here. Can enjoy seeing both Labonte and Petty do well, and while it would be really nice to have seen them make it work together, it simply hasn't happened.

There's an "ouch" (for us) in the following feeling - Bobby's still got it, PE does not. Sense is that any forward movement has been more a function of Labonte than others.

If Labonte leaves, PE must land an "equal to, or better than" - and that becomes more and more difficult as time passes and years of non-performance mount.

This will be a proverbial "nail" for PE. Perhaps not the final, but a nail none the less.

[wardfan]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

Drivers are what matter to Petty not getting sponsors.The KING will get those anyway,no matter what happens with Wall Street.

I can't be so sure the King would be able to get sponsors. How long ago has it been since one of his cars won. I believe it was with Bobby Hamilton and I don't remember what year that was. While probably most of us on this forum saw the King's last win, chances are that alot of todays fans have not, or were even born. With the money it takes these days to field a team the sponsors want someone who can have a car that can at least run up front some of the time to get on TV. I bet alot of the fan base today know Petty only by the stories they show on pre-race shows. That makes me sad

[Jeffrey4396]

Well if Bobby can finish the season in the top 35. Something in which I don't see him having a problem doing. If the top 35 rule is still in affect then I don't think they will have a problem getting a Sponsor for one year. Knowing that they will be a lock to enter a race for atleast the first 5 races should take care of that.

[Labontefan15]

I wouldn't mind Bobby going to RCR But I would i rather he stick with I think there team is finally getting to a level where they can compete

[bob101]

I wouldn't blame anybody for leavinge Petty Enterpises. As much as I like Kyle Petty he's definetly riding in the back nowdays to stay in the top 35. He and PE makes a good living if they keep 2 cars in the top 35 wether they win or not.....

[PettyBlue]

Guess I will just watch these BS rumors grind down to the end. Report: Labonte leaving Petty - Roanoke.com

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

Guess I will just watch these BS rumors grind down to the end. Report: Labonte leaving Petty - Roanoke.com

I second that. (I do think that offers have been made and he is considering them). One thing I recent read is that general Mills WILL NOT go to RCR as long as Jack Daniels is there. They have strict stipulations in their contract with PE giving no latitude as to sharing with any alcohol-related sponsorship.

[PettyBlue]

Bob,I think the link states that as well.

[titans#1]

PE is doing fine right now he just needs to get a crew chief and keep him because chemistry with your crew chief is very important in nascar.

[SteelPhoenyx]

I don't think RCR would have any trouble finding a different sponsor for Labonte if he moves over there.