(By Greg Engle)
Posted: Thursday,December 11th, 2008
Former NASCAR champion Bobby Labonte and Petty Enterprises have ended their relationship, Labonte said in a press release Thursday morning.
Labonte completed his third season with the team this year and had signed a contract extension with the team earlier this year.
But the Petty team is without sponsorship for Labonte, with long-time backer General Mills moving over to Richard Childress Racing for 2009.
The Petty team is reportedly in negotiations to merge with Gillett Evernham Motorsports.
“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,” said Labonte, the 2000 series champion. “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.
Labonte has 21 Sprint Cup wins, 197 top-10 and 113 top-five finishes in his career. He has only raced for four different team owners in his career including his family’s operation.
Petty Enterprises also confirmed that it is engaged in negotiations with Gillett Evernham Motorsports for a possible “transaction.” If completed, it is expected that the resulting company would among other things, house the No. 43 car.
Petty Enterprises noted that if a transaction is not worked out, their current plan is to field the No. 43 as a single-car team for the 2009 season. No word on who would drive the car.
“Bobby is a true champion who never failed to give everything he had when he was behind the wheel of one of our race cars,” said team owner Richard Petty. “We wish him nothing but the very best in his future endeavors.”
Labonte is a leading candidate to drive for the newly formed Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team.
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