[Quality88]

RICHMOND, Va. -- Bobby Labonte has reached an agreement to remain in the No. 43 car at Petty Enterprises after this season, sources told ESPN.com on Saturday.
Labonte has been widely speculated as a candidate to drive the fourth car at Richard Childress Racing, but Petty officials have remained adamant that he will spend the rest of his career with the organization and that he is determined to be the driver that puts the 43 back into Victory lane.
Labonte told ESPN.com earlier this week that they had no reason to believe otherwise.
"I don't want it to take two or three or four years," he said. "I want it to happen today. I would love to be the guy. If it can happen sooner than later it's better. I'm not a skip around guy anyway."
Robbie Loomis, the vice president for racing operations at Petty, has been the most outspoken on Labonte's commitment to Petty Enterprises. He remained that way on Saturday.
"As far as I know Bobby Labonte will be with us for a long time," he said before the Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway. "I feel confident where we're at with Petty Enterprises and with Bobby.

ESPN - Sources: Labonte agrees to contract extension with Petty Enterprises - Racing

[bears9]

So much for Petty to RCR.

[Phils20]

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Details later...

[Bryan88]

Bad move for Labonte. If he wanted to get to victory lane so bad, he would have been better off going to Childress or some other team.

[Bob Tanner]

It was about what I figured. Bobby's a good driver but he's like Jarret, toward the end of his career. He also feels an obligation to the Petty's to help them salvage their operation. I think his agreeing to stick it and trying to follow through on what he started out says eons about the character of Bobby Labonte.

The sport has too many Kurt Busch's and Jamie McMurray's who feel a commitment to an agreement is proportional to the money they're offered. The sport needs more Bobby Labonte's.

[Lefty Noob]

According to the Fox pregame coverage, Bobby himself is denying that he's signed the extension, so stay tuned.

[The Dude]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

According to the Fox pregame coverage, Bobby himself is denying that he's signed the extension, so stay tuned.

Well then, the plot thickens.

[Jeffrey4396]

Apparently Petty's people say nothing new to report. Per espn details will come when a sponsors does. Maybe Bobby told Petty if they got a sponsor he would re-sign? Great Bobby would could of been up there with the likes of Jeff Burton, but instead you choose the path of Ken Schrader. Enjoy running in the back every weekend. If this is true I think I am done with Nascar for a while. It is just getting harder and harder each weekend to cheer for 18th place. Also finding it real hard to get into any new drivers. They are all the same now a days. Wreck to win and get out and thank their sponsors. This was a ray of hope, but now it is over. I'm so crushed. Argh!!!!

[titans#1]

labonte is a class act he will stay loyal even though some people wont stay loyal with him not saying any names (gibs).it would be the better move for him to go to rcr for three reasons 1.his family will benefit from it cus he will real in more cash 2.his fans will enjoy him racing more 3.he will be able to win a race.but if he does decide to stay with petty it will show not what kind of driver he is but the kind of person he is.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by titans#1

labonte is a class act he will stay loyal even though some people wont stay loyal with him not saying any names (gibs).it would be the better move for him to go to rcr for three reasons 1.his family will benefit from it cus he will real in more cash 2.his fans will enjoy him racing more 3.he will be able to win a race.but if he does decide to stay with petty it will show not what kind of driver he is but the kind of person he is.

Excellent! Great insight Titan. Welcome to my neighborhood!

I'm not too sure about the Gibbs statement but...? It was a matter I admit to not keeping up with so you're probably correct.

[titans#1]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Excellent! Great insight Titan. Welcome to my neighborhood!

I'm not too sure about the Gibbs statement but...? It was a matter I admit to not keeping up with so you're probably correct.

the gibs thing wasnt really a matter of loyalty it's just kinda wierd how labonte had just 2 unfortunate season and he is out of the car and j.j. yeley was put into it and now he is gone for busch.sounds like to me if you dont win as much as stewart or hamlin your getten fired.

[bears9]

I respect Bobby Labonte, he is a class act, but honestly if he stays at PE is an idiot, Childress is basically setting up that fourth car for him with General Mills and the fact that his champ provisional would get it in races. He can have that, or he can stay at PE, in an uncensored car, and God awful equipment.

[Phils20]

Bobby didn't get fired, he left on his own.

I'm a big Labonte fan, but facts are facts. He wanted a change, and he got it.

From the Jayski Archives! I don't need it, I remember it well, but to jog your memory!



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. Labonte’s 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 didn’t 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)

[Jeffrey4396]

Yeah some forget that it was he who got tired of the situation. There is a great article on BLab at espn.com now.

http://http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm...vid&id=3377277

It goes into great detail of what Bobby was going through then and what Stewart may be going through the same now. Also discusses his decision on the future.

As for him being a stand up guy. Why can't he have both? He went to Petty's and gave it his all. To me they didn't return the favor. I'm afraid he is making this decision out of guilt and fear that he will be blamed for Petty's down fall. Well I'm sorry tough if the Petty's can't perform. They have been behind for years and now they choose to try and turn it around. I really hope Bobby thinks of his fans when he makes this decision. I don't think he owes it to his fans to sign with RCR but I would hope he would give it some thought.

I don't know my heart tells me he is going to sign with RCR, but my brain says other wise. One thing I find odd and leads me to some hope is the fact that he hasn't signed the contract yet. You would think that if you knew your future lied with the team you were with you'd sign it and move forward. Keep you team focused and not wondering if they are doing it all for nothing.

It isn't over till it is over. I find myself kind of torn. I want Bobby to do good every week, but I also want the Petty team to fall apart so he can leave.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey4396

I find myself kind of torn. I want Bobby to do good every week, but I also want the Petty team to fall apart so he can leave.

Ouch!!!! That one hurt.