Bobby Labonte News
Friday, July 9, 2010
Labonte to race for Phoenix Racing at Indy: Phoenix Racing and team owner James Finch announced today that 2000 Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte will be back behind the wheel of the No. 09 Phoenix Construction Chevy for the Brickyard 400 at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25. Labonte is the 2000 winner of the event and one of only nine drivers to have won this prestigious race. Labonte will also be making his 600th consecutive start in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. That mark currently lists him seventh in overall consecutive starts. Ricky Rudd is the all-time consecutive starts leader at 788. "I've got to thank James Finch and Phoenix Racing for allowing me to get my 600th consecutive race with them at Indianapolis Motor Speedway," said Labonte. "We had some discussion about future races at Daytona, and we were able to put a deal together for the Brickyard 400. I like working with the guys and appreciate this opportunity. The Brickyard is such a memorable race. To be able to have this race as my 600th consecutive start is really cool. I didn't sit down at the beginning of my career and plan any milestones, so this is pretty cool." It will be Labonte's third start for Phoenix Racing after racing for the team at both Daytona and Chicagoland.(Breaking Limits)
Friday, July 2, 2010
Bobby Labonte named Grand Marshal for Coke Zero 400: Bobby Labonte, who is scheduled to make his 600th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start on Saturday night, will serve as Grand Marshal for the 52nd annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Labonte, who is driving the No. 09 car for owner James Finch in Saturday's 160-lap, 400-mile race, will give the starting command, "Gentlemen start your engines." Labonte, who is an original member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, has captured 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup victories and 26 poles as well as the series' championship in 2000.(DIS)
Thursday, July 1, 2010
CokeZero to sponsor Labonte at Daytona: Phoenix Racing announced that Coke Zero brand will sponsor the team and Coca-Cola Racing Family member Bobby Labonte for Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway. Coke Zero will commemorate driver Bobby Labonte's 600th Sprint Cup Series start. Labonte will also be serving as the Grand Marshall for Coke Zero during the race event. Labonte is an original member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family.(Breaking Limits PR)
Bobby Labonte to make 00th start in Daytona: Hitting another milestone, 2000 Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte will be making his 600th career start and his 598 consecutive start this weekend. Labonte will be racing for Phoenix Racing and the No. 09 Phoenix Construction Chevy in Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at the infamous 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway. Labonte's 600th start will rank him 20th in overall Career Sprint Cup starts. Richard Petty is the all-time leader with 1,185 Career Sprint Cup starts. Labonte will also be supporting a new red, white and blue helmet, to help raise awareness for the Hope For The Warriors non-profit organization. Another helmet will be signed by the participating drivers of the Coke Zero 400. Both helmets will be auctioned off after this weekend's events. Bobby Labonte has 35 starts, earned two pole positions, five top-five and eight top-10 finishes and has over 68 laps led at Daytona.(Breaking Limits PR)
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Paul Clapprood named interim crew chief for Bobby Labonte: TRG Motorsports announced today Paul Clapprood has been named interim crew chief for the No. 71 Chevy driven by Bobby Labonte in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The change is effective immediately. Clapprood, who takes over the crew chief duties from Doug Randolph, will be on top of the pit box for this weekend's Helavua Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 at the two-mile Michigan International Speedway. "We are pleased to give Paul this opportunity and we wish Doug all the best," said team owner, Kevin Buckler. "Paul has demonstrated his abilities with the car in the past and has been very dedicated to our program since we started our Sprint Cup operation. We will be on a methodical two-week process to hire a full-time crew chief and will expect an announcement after Infineon."(TRG Motorsports)
Monday, May 17, 2010
TRG Motorsports needs sponsorship money, will continue to state-and-park if needed: TRG Motorsports had no sponsor for the Autism Speaks 400 on Sunday at Dover International Speedway and 2000 Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte parked after 65 laps. The team needs sponsorship for several future races this season as well, team executive vice president Tortey Galida said before the race. Sponsor TaxSlayer.com was a 12-race primary deal and most of its races were early in the year to coincide with tax season. Team owner Kevin Buckler's Adobe Road Winery is another sponsor. "We're still looking for partners," Galida said prior to the Autism Speaks 400. "TaxSlayer has been a great partner for us this year but they're not on for the full season. We're getting to the point where we've got to be strategic with how we use our resources and continue to run as well as we can and attract more sponsorship. We've had tons of leads, lots of great meetings but just haven't been able to close [with] anybody. We think we're close on a couple of things. We're at a point now where we've got to start [getting sponsors] pretty quickly." TRG has alliances with several organizations. It uses a pit crew provided by Stewart-Haas Racing. It has a strategic alliance with Richard Childress Racing as it uses RCR cars and chassis. The team plans to show up for every race, Galida said, and not do a program such as the Wood Brothers, which comes to select races as a fully funded car. Labonte, who has a spot in the Sprint All-Star Race, will run the full event next week with sponsorship from TaxSlayer.com.(SceneDaily)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Labonte to run Rolex 24hrs at Daytona: Bobby Labonte, the 2000 NASCAR Cup Series champion, was spotted in Tuesday's Grand-Am test at Daytona International Speedway in a TRG Porsche. Labonte drives Kevin Buckler's TRG NASCAR Sprint Cup car and plans to compete in the Rolex 24. Labonte, who has three Rolex 24 starts, will join the defending GT winning No. 67 TRG Porsche GT3 in the 2010 race, co-driving with Andy Lally, Spencer Pumpelly and Tim George Jr. "Kevin really didn't have to talk me into it," Labonte said. "I've always been a big fan of the Rolex 24 since I started racing and I raced a go-kart on the same track back when I was 15. He didn't have to twist my arm."(Daytona Beach News Journal)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
TRG Motorsports named Crew Chief: TRG Motorsports announced that veteran crew chief Doug Randolph will take the reins as the new crew chief for Bobby Labonte and the No. 71 Sprint Cup Series team effective immediately. Randolph, who was most recently at the helm of the No. 07 at Richard Childress Racing, began his Cup career with Junior Johnson and has worked with organizations including DEI, Bill Davis Racing and sat atop the pit box for Labonte in 2007 at Petty Enterprises. In their short time together, the pair garnered some strong finishes and are eager to renew their relationship under TRG Motorsports banner.(TRG PR)
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Labonte signs one-year deal with TRG Motorsports: Bobby Labonte has signed a one-year contract to drive TRG Motorsports' car in 2010 -- and at least for the season-opening Daytona 500 he'll have a teammate in TRG's hoped-for full-time second car. On Saturday morning at Phoenix International Raceway, TRG owner Kevin Buckler and Labonte announced the deal and a 12-race primary sponsorship with TaxSlayer.com, a provider of online tax preparation software, that Buckler hopes will be the first of several.
One of the biggest short-term decisions TRG must make is which car manufacturer to align itself. Buckler said he hopes to have that decision made right after Homestead. "We're talking to several manufacturers right now, we're in the middle of some strong negotiations with them, and as usual we have to do what's best for the team," Buckler said. "I tend to be very, very loyal about stuff, maybe too much so; but I've got a lot of partners and other people to consider here, and our final decision needs to be based on what's best for TRG Motorsports."(NASCAR.com)
TRG Motorsports announces Bobby Labonte in the No. 71 full-time in 2010: TRG Motorsports announced NASCAR Cup Series Champion Bobby Labonte will be the full-time driver of the No. 71 TRG Motorsports Chevy for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Additionally, TaxSlayer.com has signed a multi-race primary sponsorship agreement with TRG for 2010. "I'm really excited about the opportunity that I'll have next year with both TRG Motorsports and TaxSlayer.com as a sponsor," Labonte said. "Each time I've run with the team this year I've enjoyed the experience, and I'm looking forward to filling the seat full time next year and really building on what we've started. I have gotten to know the management team at TaxSlayer and they are great people. I am looking forward to representing them next season." TaxSlayer.com made its debut in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at this year's race at Watkins Glen International Raceway, and will have served as the primary sponsor of the No. 71 a total of six times in 2009, including the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "Everyone at Taxslayer.com is very excited to continue our relationship with TRG Motorsports and Bobby Labonte," stated Eubanks. "TRG and TaxSlayer both exhibit a phenomenal product and unbelievable quality. Headed in to next season, we're looking forward to showcasing our service to the entire NASCAR community, especially as tax season approaches."(TRG Motorsports)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Bobby Labonte expected to remain as driver of No. 71 in 2010: Bobby Labonte is expected to remain driver of the No. 71 TRG Motorsports Chevy in 2010. An announcement is expected to take place Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway.(FOXSports.com)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Latest on Bobby Labonte's future plans: Former Cup champion Bobby Labonte said he has liked working with the TRG Motorsports team in the few races he has run in the No. 71 Chevy this year and it has shown him enough to make that car a possible seat for him in 2010. Now whether he actually drives for the team, which has indicated it wants to sign him for 2010, is still to be determined. Labonte, whose car will be sponsored by CBR MotorCars this weekend, said he wasn't sure when he would know what he's doing in 2010, but he felt confident he would have a Sprint Cup ride. Labonte is still considered to have a chance at the No. 1 Earnhardt Ganassi car and the 2000 Cup champion's name is often mentioned with any other possible opening [rumored to be Jamie McMurray as the new driver]. He drove most of this year with Hall of Fame Racing, which has used Yates Racing to field its cars this year. He will run the final three races this season for TRG Motorsports, where he has had four starts.(SceneDaily)
Monday, November 2, 2009
TGR wants Labonte to return? Torrey Galida, a former Ford and Roush Fenway Racing executive who most recently was president of the motorsports division for sports marketing company Millsport, has taken a new job as executive vice president and chief marketing officer of TRG Motorsports. One of his main priorities will be finding sponsorship so the team can race every race in 2010. Galida said the team plans to make its first partial-season sponsorship announcement in a few weeks. TRG Motorsports has run the full season, mostly with David Gilliland and Bobby Labonte in the driver's seat. Galida said the team would like for Labonte, the 2000 Cup champion, to drive next year.(SceneDaily)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Labonte to go pink at Charlotte: When NASCAR comes home to Charlotte on Oct. 17 for the NASCAR Banking 500, Bobby Labonte will have more people on his tail than any other driver on the track literally. More than 13,000 names of people affected by breast cancer will be featured on the rear of Labonte's pink No. 96 Ford as part of a breast cancer awareness program with his sponsor Ask.com. The search engine transformed its homepage into a one-day memorial for those affected by breast cancer on Oct. 1 to celebrate the start of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and its national partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Each Tribute made that day will be incorporated into the No. 96 paint scheme. Labonte, who will sport a firesuit and helmet inspired by the pink colors of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, appreciated his sponsors' efforts. Ask.com, the Official Search Engine of NASCAR, recently announced a national multi-faceted partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure which included a pledge to invest $1 million to the organization. Throughout October, race fans can continue to participate in the Ask.com Search for the Cure program at www.Ask.com/cure. By downloading the special Komen search "skin" and answering questions about breast health, Ask.com will continue to make donations to Susan G. Komen for the Cure on behalf of users.(Ask.com/Taylor)
Wednesday , Sept. 30, 2009
Labonte in the No. 71 at Kansas: Bobby Labonte will run a brand new No. 71 TRG Motorsports Chevy at this weekend's Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. Team principal Kevin Buckler received a shiny new Chevrolet Impala SS that the TRG Motorsports team will run this weekend. This will be the first time that crew chief Richard "Slugger" Labbe will have an all updated car to race this season. "Kevin and the partners really stepped up," Labbe said. "Most of our cars are at least one year old. We've seen this season that the guys who run up front keep developing their cars. We just can't afford to keep up with that as a new team on a race-to-race budget. It will be fun to see what we can put under Bobby for this weekend with a brand new piece." The team will have support from Club Motorsports, Adobe Road Winery, RaceHost.com as well as TaxSlayer.com for this weekend's race.(TRG Motorsports)
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009
Bobby Labonte to RCR? EGR? Bobby Labonte's popularity has picked up considerably in the last few weeks. Apparently, his name is being presented as a possible candidate for the No. 07 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet to sponsor Jack Daniels this week. Also hearing that he could be competition for Jamie McMurray in the No. 1 Chevy at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.(FOXSports.com)
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009
Bobby Labonte in the No. 71 in 2010? Bobby Labonte may have the inside line on the No. 71 ride in 2010. Said team owner Kevin Buckler: "It was a really good night. Bobby has taken right to our little team. We gave him a good car and he was able to move forward and run in the top 10 . . . We're moving forward and that's the name of the game right now." (Daytona Beach News-Journal)
Monday, Aug. 31, 2009
Erik Darnell to replace Bobby Labonte in the No. 96: Yates Racing, announced that former NASCAR Camping World Series Rookie-of–the-Year and current NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, Erik Darnell will be behind the wheel of the No. 96 entry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for seven races this season. Darnell will make his Sprint Cup Series debut Labor Day weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the No. 96 Academy Sports & Outdoors Ford Fusion. He also is slated to pilot the No. 96 at Loudon, Kansas, Talladega, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead. Darnell will carry the familiar colors of Northern Tool + Equipment for the Loudon and Kansas races. Academy Sports & Outdoors will be Darnell’s primary sponsor at Atlanta, Talladega and Texas. Bobby Labonte will continue to race the No. 96 Ford under the Hall of Fame Racing banner with Ask.com and DLP as his primary sponsors at Richmond, Dover, Fontana, Charlotte and Martinsville. “This is a move that will be beneficial to Yates Racing surviving this difficult economic time,” said Bobby Labonte. “Of course, I’m disappointed that the sponsorship environment is so challenging right now, but I intend to make the most out of the remaining races that I’m behind the wheel for Ask.com, DLP and Hall of Fame Racing.”(Yates Racing PR)
Friday, July 31, 2009
DLP on the No. 96 at Pocono: The No. 96 Ford of Bobby Labonte will sport the black DLP paint scheme this weekend at Pocono Raceway. The No. 96 DLP Ford Fusion team will bring chassis RK-609 to Pocono this weekend. This is the same Ford that Labonte raced at Pocono earlier this year.(RYR Racing)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Bobby Labonte blames struggles on switching teams: Bobby Labonte thinks his struggles this year are just part of getting accustomed to working a new team.He left financially-strapped Petty Enterprises after last season and was worried that he would not have a job in 2009 before he landed with Hall of Fame/Yates in January. The struggles have resulted in just four finishes of 20th or better in the 16 races this season. "The guys that are up front have been together for a long time," Labonte said. "(Points leader) Tony Stewart is probably an exception, but they've got a lot of good people there. So whether it's the new car or old car, this year or last year, it's still an example of the team building, and the characteristics and personalities of everybody there to make it better and not try to tear anything down. Those guys make changes, but they're strong enough to make them in the right direction. Team is really important to keep yourself going in the right direction week-in and week-out, to make small steps better than trying to go one step forward and two steps back." (High Point Enterprise)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Ben Leslie named Crew Chief for No. 96 Bobby Labonte: Yates Racing announced Ben Leslie, former crew chief for the No. 28 Yates Racing Ford, will serve as crew chief for Bobby Labonte and the No. 96 Hall of Fame entry for the remainder of the 2009 season. Previous crew chief Todd Parrot will assist the Yates organization as a whole. "Ben's experience with Ford Racing is really an asset to our organization," said Max Jones, co-owner of Yates Racing. "The No. 96 team is fortunate enough to have a champion driver and a group of experts in the sport. I believe Ben will bring the right changes to this team to help it accomplish some solid finishes this season and climb a few positions in the points." Prior to joining Yates Racing, Leslie served as a liaison between Ford Racing and NASCAR managing Ford's development in all three series. Earlier in his career, Leslie worked with several notable drivers including Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch and Ricky Rudd. In 2001 Leslie led Martin to a second-place finish in the Cup Series point standings, recorded 15 top-10 finishes and a win in the Coca-Cola 600. "I'm looking forward to working with Ben," Labonte said. "He's done a lot with Ford Racing specifically and I like that he has experience with many champion drivers. I'm excited to see what we will do together on the track in the next few weeks." Todd Parrot, who aided in Labonte's fifth-place finish in Las Vegas, will remain with Yates Racing and assist with both the No. 96 Hall of Fame Racing entry as well as the No. 98 Menards Ford Fusion. (RYR PR)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Labonte, Smith inducted into Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame: Bobby Labonte and Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Chairman and CEO Bruton Smith were inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame during Wednesday evening’s gala at The Speedway Club at Texas Motor Speedway. The two were honored along with Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, No. 99-Carl Edwards and IndyCar Series driver Scott Dixon. Labonte and Smith join previous inductees A.J. Foyt (2003), Johnny Rutherford (2003), Terry Labonte (2004), Lee Shepherd (2004), Kenny Bernstein (2005), Jim Hall (2005), Eddie Hill (2006), Mark Martin (2007) and Jim McElreath (2007) into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame. Labonte’s presenter for his induction was none other than his older brother and 2004 inductee, Terry Labonte. “It’s a great honor,” Labonte said. “Just having the career and starting out in Texas. This is just a neat factor to come to this. This is pretty cool. I always enjoyed following in Terry’s footsteps.” Labonte was honored with a special announcement at the conclusion of the ceremony. Interstate Batteries CEO Norm Miller and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch unveiled the special paint scheme Busch will run during Sunday’s Samsung 500. The paint scheme is a replica of the No. 18 Interstate Batteries car that Labonte drove during his 2000 Sprint Cup Series championship year while at Joe Gibbs Racing. The scheme pays tribute to Labonte’s induction with “Congrats Bobby Labonte! Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame 2009 Inductee” on the deck lid of the car. Smith brought back NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing to Texas in 1997 with the construction of Texas Motor Speedway. Since then, he has continued to develop “The Great American Speedway!” into one of the premier sporting venues in the country. Smith, with the help of racing star Curtis Turner, opened Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 1960 and hosted the first World 600 that year. Since that time, Smith has set the standard in marketing and promoting motorsports as he has turned SMI into one of the most recognizable brands in NASCAR. Hendrick was awarded this year’s Bruton Smith Legends Award. The honor is a lifetime achievement award given to a legendary figure in motorsports. Hendrick is known for establishing one of the winningest organizations in NASCAR. The team owner of four of NASCAR’s most recognizable drivers (Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin) has set the standard of excellence in motorsports. Edwards, who became the first Sprint Cup Series driver to sweep both races at Texas Motor Speedway last year (the Samsung 500 and Dickies 500), earned the Texas Motor Speedway Racer of the Year. Edwards led nearly half the Sprint Cup Series laps run last year at TMS, leading 335 of 673 laps. His two wins placed him atop the list for most wins by a Sprint Cup Series driver at “The Great American Speedway!” with three. Dixon received the Texas Motor Speedway Sportsmanship Award. Dixon earned his first TMS victory during last year’s Bombardier Learjet 550k en route to the IndyCar Series championship.(TMS PR)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Bobby Labonte to be inducted into Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame: Corpus Christi's own Bobby Labonte will soon be part of the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame. He'll be inducted April 1 at Texas Motor Speedway. Still going strong on Nascar's Sprint Cup Circuit, Labonte has notched 21 career victories and nearly 200 top ten finishes, to go with the series championship he won in 2000. (kris-tv)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Yates/Hall of Fame Racing points transfer: Hall of Fame Racing today the #96 Ask.com Ford Fusion and Bobby Labonte as the manufacturers’ wild card entry into the famed Budweiser Shootout following NASCAR’s rule change on Friday. “The #96 joined the Ford family at the right time,” said Hall of Fame Racing Co-Owner, Tom Garfinkel. “We’re pleased to get Hall of Fame and Ask.com into the Shootout and have an early chance to start working towards solid top-five and top-10 finishes this season. We are pleased to be working with Bobby Labonte and Yates Racing and look forward to seeing this combination of talent come together for the first time in the Shootout.” Labonte and the #96 will also receive Yates Racing points from the #38, piloted by David Gilliland in 2008. The transfer will put the #96 in 27th position going into the Daytona 500 in February. Yates Racing’s #98 Menards Ford Fusion will start the 2009 season in 23rd position after a points transfer from the #28. Paul Menard will drive the machine for the full 2009 season. Travis Kvapil will start the season as a fresh entry in the #28 Yates Racing Ford. Sponsorship opportunities are available; please contact Jon Sands with Yates Racing at 704-720-4621.(Yates Racing PR)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Report: Labonte in No. 96; Ask.com to sponsor: Former Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte will drive the No. 96 car for Yates Racing. Hall of Fame Racing announced earlier in the day that it has aligned itself with Yates Racing to run the 96 for the entire Sprint Cup season. Labonte, who had been in discussions with Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing for the No. 8 car, will be the driver as part of a three-car operation. His car will be sponsored by Ask.com for the first 18 races of the season, starting with the Daytona 500, with an option to buy more as the year goes on. Ask also signed on as "the official search engine of NASCAR," in two separate deals that bring new money into NASCAR at a time most of the industry is scouring the crumbling economic market for funding. (ESPN.com)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Labonte in the No. 8? Almirola part-time? Bobby Labonte in the No. 8, Juan Pablo Montoya in the No. 41, Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 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 No. 8 vacated by Mark Martin this season, but the company was having trouble finding sponsorship for the untested driver. (ESPN.com)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Bobby Labonte and Petty Enterprises part-ways: Bobby Labonte and Petty Enterprises have reached a mutual agreement to separate, the team confirmed on Thursday. A possible scenario for Labonte could be the new Earnhardt-Ganassi team that has an open spot in the No. 41 Target car. Sources said the organization has had informal discussions with Labonte and would be interested if he were available, although his car number may not be the 41. Labonte, in a prepared statement, said only that he did not have a contract for 2009 and that he was ready to explore all options. "In over 15 years of racing in the Sprint Cup Series, I can't remember a time when the sport's landscape looks as it does today,'' he said. "Saying that, Petty Enterprises and I had serious and very sincere discussions about what was best for myself and everyone involved at Petty Enterprises moving forward. "These discussions culminated with us agreeing that moving in a separate direction will be the greatest way to reach our end goals. It was by no means an easy decision. I am, and will always be, very appreciative of what Richard Petty and the Petty family, every employee of Petty Enterprises and members of Boston Ventures did to invest in bettering my career the past three seasons.'' (ESPN.com)
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Born: 05/08/1964