Finch offers Bobby Labonte a Daytona Ride

hidesert cowboy said:
as much class as gibbs has and especially after so much success, isn't the more likely story that bobby was not asked to renew his contract OR outright let go. but to the public it was that bobby chose to leave, that way he leaves with dignity. I think thats what happened. and if you remember bobby wasn't running well the last few years he was in gibbs cars. I think putting him in a phoenix racing plate car does make alot of sense. this is a race anyone could win.
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Class? I would have a hard time saying that! I could be wrong I guess.
 
Finch ought to save the money and drive the damned thing himself
 
Jeffrey00 said:
it should as long as a new champ doesn't need it. so I am not sure what champions if any are guaranteed a spot. I don't think Kurt Busch is.
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A provisional spot is available for the most recent past champion that doesn't qualify in the top 42, provided he was an active cup driver the previous year and was entered in the race prior to the entry deadline. There are other restrictions, but they don't apply at the 500. Kurt Busch is eligible. Last time this was used for the 500 was Terry Labonte in 2012.
 
klemmabyna said:
i'll readily admit that it's been years since bobby has been competitive, but why do so many want to get rid of former champions? are there others that deserve the ride more? and why?
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Probably because they should have hung it up at the time when their performance began to decline, Bobby is a back marker plain and simple IMO
 
almost the whole back half of the field are back markers when you get down to it. Trying to explain how the past provisional champion applies to Labonte and almost guarantees his ride make the show in front of the others doesn't compute with some apparently either. Here's the deal

Provisional rule
In the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the top 36 positions are determined by timed laps. Positions 37-42 are then awarded based on owner points to those cars not already qualified. The final position is reserved for a past series champion. Each past champion can use this past champions' provisional up to 6 times per season. If the past champions' provisional is not needed (all past champions are already qualified) then the position goes to the first team in owner points not already qualified for the race.

In the Nationwide Series, the top 30 cars in owner points are guaranteed to start the race, while the top 25 trucks in the Camping World Truck Series are also locked into the field. The past champions' provisional also applies to these series.

Special race qualifying procedures
The Daytona 500 has a unique qualifying procedure. Time trials, held one week before the race, determine the front row and set the lineup for the Duel races held on Thursday. The finishing order of these races determine positions 3-30 (odd numbered positions in race 1, even numbered in race 2). Positions 31-36 revert to qualifying speeds, and 37-43 revert to provisionals as listed above.
 
klemmabyna said:
i'll readily admit that it's been years since bobby has been competitive, but why do so many want to get rid of former champions? are there others that deserve the ride more? and why?
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It's the same as any other sport where talent fades but the competitor refuses to hang it up.
 
Nope, past champions in Nascar are given the opportunity to compete and as a bonus they have the provisional, Nascar respects their past accomplishments as do most of the fans that watch the races. Stick n ball could care less, they are so torn up by Labonte's age most of them can hardly walk without creaking and popping and almost 80% are flat broke at Labonte's age. BTW older brother Terry is supposed to be competing for a spot on the grid at Daytona.
http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.co...tona-500-at-fas-lanego-green-joint-operation/
 
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