[Jeffrey4396]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Ouch!!!! That one hurt.

I know I know. Any level headed person can tell that PE is no where near returning back to being competitive. Sure they might get a top 10 run here or there. Not having a real sponsor, or building your own engines and chassis doesn't seem to me like a great situation for winning. I don't know why Bobby can't see this. I really wonder what it is that he sees, because his fans don't see it.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey4396

I know I know. Any level headed person can tell that PE is no where near returning back to being competitive. Sure they might get a top 10 run here or there. Not having a real sponsor, or building your own engines and chassis doesn't seem to me like a great situation for winning. I don't know why Bobby can't see this. I really wonder what it is that he sees, because his fans don't see it.

If he does stay, I can answer your question with one word; commitment. Unfortunately it's a word which has lost favour in our current society.

[Jeffrey4396]

I understand but at the same time when has it become his responsibility to fix PE? I say he gave it more than enough. It didn't work, move on.

[Phils20]

I'm not so sure after reading his comments. The 43 team has shown some pretty good moments, they just haven't had the finishes.

I have more respect than ever for Bobby after reading that.

No matter where he finishes his career, he will be my favorite driver until he retires.

I find his approach refreshing in this age of selfish athletes, and the holdouts and loud mouths in other sports.

Follow your heart Bobby, and your own moral compass, and you have won even if you don't have that trophy!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Phils20

I'm not so sure after reading his comments. The 43 team has shown some pretty good moments, they just haven't had the finishes.

I have more respect than ever for Bobby after reading that.

No matter where he finishes his career, he will be my favorite driver until he retires.

I find his approach refreshing in this age of selfish athletes, and the holdouts and loud mouths in other sports.

Follow your heart Bobby, and your own moral compass, and you have won even if you don't have that trophy!

I agree. A lot of times you don't have to finish first to win.

[jks812]

Maybe if he stays at Petty it's also because of what RCR is or isn't offering him. After all I haven't read anywhere anything about what they might offer him. Maybe they're not offering a contract for the amount of time he wants to drive. Not trying to be mean here, but he's no spring chicken anymore. What if RCR wants to just sign him for say, 2 years. What then? You have all these young guys coming in, where would that leave Bobby? Probably without a ride then.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by jks812

Maybe if he stays at Petty it's also because of what RCR is or isn't offering him. After all I haven't read anywhere anything about what they might offer him. Maybe they're not offering a contract for the amount of time he wants to drive. Not trying to be mean here, but he's no spring chicken anymore. What if RCR wants to just sign him for say, 2 years. What then? You have all these young guys coming in, where would that leave Bobby? Probably without a ride then.

Very good point jks

[jks812]

Well the Petty's are supposedly offering him a contract to drive as long as he wants to. I believe RCR mostly wants him for his champion provisional. So in his shoes, which team would you go for, the one who wants you as a driver or the one that wants you as a past champ? RCR said he was talking to 4 drivers. I'd bout be willing to bet all of them are past champs.

[Phils20]

Some good points here folks.

In regards to both RCR maybe wanting him mostly for the past champ provisional, and the fact the PE may be offering him basically a lifetime contract.

I'd rather drive for the Pettys than BAM, Haas, or some of the other never will be's out there.

Some may not agree, but to me there is still some prestige to driving for the King.

I don't know that they will be a top tier team during Bobby's time there, but I hope he can be a part of thier success.

And after reading that article posted here earlier, I have to say I'll support him regardless of what he does!

[Jeffrey4396]

Originally Posted by jks812

Well the Petty's are supposedly offering him a contract to drive as long as he wants to. I believe RCR mostly wants him for his champion provisional. So in his shoes, which team would you go for, the one who wants you as a driver or the one that wants you as a past champ? RCR said he was talking to 4 drivers. I'd bout be willing to bet all of them are past champs.

I think RCR wants Bobby for more than just the PCP. Have to remember Jeff Burton is his best friend. Plus Childress said the 4 drivers he is talking to are all currently sprint cup drivers. If they are all past champs then that means he is talking to either Bobby, Gordon, Johnson, Stewart, Kenseth, and Busch. I can maybe pick two of the six that he could possibly be talking to. Maybe three if for some reason Busch is unhappy again.

[Labontefan15]

I think Bobby might be a good fit for RCR

[BiscuitMan]

Am I missing something here? All the news reports and interviews indicate that Bobby Labonte is staying at Petty Enterprises. Several of your posts still talk about Labonte will be at RCR at some point in his career. I don't think so.

Something has convinced Labonte to finish out his career at Petty Enterprises. From interviews, he has said he came to Petty Enterprises to take them back to the level that they were at in Richard's prime. So, my question is, what is the "carrot" that is keeping Labonte at Petty Enterprises? I don't agree with Tanner that "commitment" to the Petty organization is keeping him there. Usually drivers have a commitment to win races for the team. There's got to be more to his decision to look away from RCR, Penske and other respectable teams.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

Am I missing something here? All the news reports and interviews indicate that Bobby Labonte is staying at Petty Enterprises. Several of your posts still talk about Labonte will be at RCR at some point in his career. I don't think so.

Something has convinced Labonte to finish out his career at Petty Enterprises. .

So why hasnt he signed? ... or made a public announcement of his intentions
Even just so that PE can focus on the real task at hand. All of this rumor cant be helping the organization

[Jeffrey4396]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

Am I missing something here?

Yeah Saturday when BLab said if it hasn't come out of his mouth then it isn't true.

We're not saying he is going to RCR, just that we (well some) hope he does.

[Jeffrey4396]

Originally Posted by clutch

So why hasnt he signed? ... or made a public announcement of his intentions
Even just so that PE can focus on the real task at hand. All of this rumor cant be helping the organization

That is my whole point about the situation. If Bobby was going to sign it he would just come out and say it to help regain focus. I think he is holding out to see some improvement. Probably giving it till mid season and if improvement doesn't show he will leave. Same reason why I think RCR said they would probably have an announcement in a few months.