[nascaraddict]

Usually the first couple of races of each season, I have a hard time with all the driver changes. Then by about March, I'm good to go.

That's pretty sad for an addict like me.

[titans#1]

Originally Posted by jks812

Now they have him in the 8, Montoya in the 41, Truex in the 1 and Almirola part time in the 42. Guess we'll know at Daytona who's driving what....maybe

i heard that amirola was going to run part time in the 41 not the 42

[Phils20]

UPDATE: Bobby Labonte in the #8, Juan Pablo Montoya in the #41, Martin Truex Jr. in the #1 and Aric Almirola in a part-time role. That is the scenario officials at Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing are discussing, sources close to the situation told ESPN.com. Almirola was slated to drive the #8 vacated by Mark Martin this season, but the company was having trouble finding sponsorship for the untested driver. Labonte ... according to sources, has drawn interest from several sponsors. Montoya drove the #42 during his first two years with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. But with that car only half sponsored by Wrigley's and the #41 fully funded by Target, officials are looking to make the switch for what had become the top driver at Ganassi. Almirola would drive the fourth car in next month's opener at Daytona and a select number of other races unless officials find a way to fully sponsor that car for the season.(ESPN.com)(1-12-2009) Comment here

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by Phils20

UPDATE: Almirola was slated to drive the #8 vacated by Mark Martin this season, but the company was having trouble finding sponsorship for the untested driver.

Didn't have any trouble getting sponsors for the #8 two years ago.

[Jeffrey4396]

It will be real interesting to see what kind of sponsors Bobby can pull. If it is a big name company then I think he still has it marketing wise. Which could be good. The bigger the name on the car I think the more attention he will get from his team. If it is a bunch of no name sponsor thrown together to run the full season then I think he will be on the back burner for that team. Either way Truex will get the top equipment, and Bobby and Montoya will be fighting for the rest.

Also I wonder if Bobby can do for DEI/CGR what Burton did for RCR. If they were smart they'd put their best stuff under Bobby and let him build that team back up like Burton did. Bobby would be a great mentor for Truex, like he was for Smoke.

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey4396

It will be real interesting to see what kind of sponsors Bobby can pull. If it is a big name company then I think he still has it marketing wise. Which could be good. The bigger the name on the car I think the more attention he will get from his team. If it is a bunch of no name sponsor thrown together to run the full season then I think he will be on the back burner for that team. Either way Truex will get the top equipment, and Bobby and Montoya will be fighting for the rest.

Also I wonder if Bobby can do for DEI/CGR what Burton did for RCR. If they were smart they'd put their best stuff under Bobby and let him build that team back up like Burton did. Bobby would be a great mentor for Truex, like he was for Smoke.

I think Bobby can pull big sponsors I just don't think he can do for them what Burton did for RCR manly because the equipment isn't as good as RCR.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by trollmc08

I think Bobby can pull big sponsors I just don't think he can do for them what Burton did for RCR manly because the equipment isn't as good as RCR.

RCR wasn't exactly lightin the world on fire. When Burton came in he brought something that helped the whole organization which eventually effected the equipment... leadership. Bobby can bring leadership. The question is, will DEI/Ganassi listen to him?

[loco4pablo]

Originally Posted by Quality88

RCR wasn't exactly lightin the world on fire. When Burton came in he brought something that helped the whole organization which eventually effected the equipment... leadership. Bobby can bring leadership. The question is, will DEI/Ganassi listen to him?

Putting all 3 cars in the chase might not be setting the world on fire...I agree. Also I doubt Jeff is building any cars

But who will listen Bobby... when you have JPM... He did win indy, he did win the rolex, he did win in F1, he did win in Nationwide and he did win in sprint cup... bobby who???................ drum roll please!

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by loco4pablo

Putting all 3 cars in the chase might not be setting the world on fire...I agree. Also I doubt Jeff is building any cars

But who will listen Bobby... when you have JPM... He did win indy, he did win the rolex, he did win in F1, he did win in Nationwide and he did win in sprint cup... bobby who???................ drum roll please!

Bobby is a 21 race cup winner, and won the cup title and NW title in his career.

He is also a model of class and dignity.

JPM could learn a lot from him.

Only folks with very short memories think Bobby has nothing to offer a race team.

[titans#1]

Originally Posted by loco4pablo

Putting all 3 cars in the chase might not be setting the world on fire...I agree. Also I doubt Jeff is building any cars

But who will listen Bobby... when you have JPM... He did win indy, he did win the rolex, he did win in F1, he did win in Nationwide and he did win in sprint cup... bobby who???................ drum roll please!

your joking right? you cant really believe labonte isnt a leader and whats up with bobby who?? because if you dont know labonte than you have a lot to learn my friend.

[oncea3fan]

if JPM is going to target 41, whats up with the wrigleys sponsorship ???
wasn't that for like 22 races.

Iam actually excited to see what the new Chip & Dale team can do.

[Jeffrey4396]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

if JPM is going to target 41, whats up with the wrigleys sponsorship ???
wasn't that for like 22 races.

Iam actually excited to see what the new Chip & Dale team can do.

I could see the wrigleys sponsorship moving over to the 8. Then finding another sponsor to finish the season with Bobby.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by loco4pablo

Putting all 3 cars in the chase might not be setting the world on fire...I agree. Also I doubt Jeff is building any cars

But who will listen Bobby... when you have JPM... He did win indy, he did win the rolex, he did win in F1, he did win in Nationwide and he did win in sprint cup... bobby who???................ drum roll please!

They didn't put all cars into the chase before his arrival. They did after his arrival. I'm sayin they werent settin the world on fire before his arrival.

Bobby is a leader which is something both DEI and Ganassi need right now.

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by Quality88

RCR wasn't exactly lightin the world on fire. When Burton came in he brought something that helped the whole organization which eventually effected the equipment... leadership. Bobby can bring leadership. The question is, will DEI/Ganassi listen to him?

I know RCR wasn't setting the world on fire before Burton. And I also think Bobby has a lot to bring to the table I just don't think DEI/Ganassi's equipment "now" is at the same level as RCR just before Burton. However I think Bobby can help with that.

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by trollmc08

I know RCR wasn't setting the world on fire before Burton. And I also think Bobby has a lot to bring to the table I just don't think DEI/Ganassi's equipment "now" is at the same level as RCR just before Burton. However I think Bobby can help with that.

I hope we're talking about the same "Bobby". That is Bobby Labonte. ESPN and NASCAR.com are reporting that Bobby Labonte will be driving the #96 car for Hall of Fame Racing in a joint venture with Yates Racing.

See the announcement at ESPN