Labonte Joins Petty Enterprises

[Vern Demerest]

Labonte Joins Petty Enterprises
Pete Pistone
Managing Editor



AVONDALE, Az. - The wild week of driver changes continued on Friday.

As expected, Bobby Labonte was named driver of the Petty Enterprises No. 43 Dodge beginning with the 2006 NEXTEL Cup Series season.

Labonte joins Petty after a ten year stint with Joe Gibbs Racing, where he won 21 NEXTEL Cup races and the 2000 series championship.

"I'm really pleased to be a part of Petty Enterprises," Labonte said at a Friday morning press conference at Phoenix International Raceway. "When I first came into this sport, my heroes were Terry Labonte and Richard Petty. To have the opportunity to drive Richard Petty's No. 43 car is something I could not have imagined growing up."

Labonte will team with Kyle Petty to form the two-car Petty Enterprises stable.

"We're bringing in some serious firepower to the No. 43 Cheerios Dodge next year and I am excited about have Bobby Labonte as a teammate," said Petty. "Bobby knows how to win races and how to win championships, as does Robbie Loomis."

Loomis, who joined Petty Enterprises from Hendrick Motorsports as Executive Vice President of Operations, will work closely with Labonte on the transition.

 

[Eagle1]

I sure hope this works out well. I like Bobby and it would sure be nice to see that #43 running good again. It has been very painful to watch a childhood heros car running the way it has.

 

[TexasRaceLady]

Eagle, I share your sentiment.

 

[kelloggs5TLfan]

 

[N2racin44]

I am very happy that this orginization has not been looked over. Recent performance has shown that PE has the potential to turn it around. Kyle Petty is a cool cat and having Bobby will only help improve his ride as well. Heres to sucess at PE

 

[esorlxaw]

Damn, did you see how happy he looks in those pictures at Nascar.com? I really hope this turns things around for Labonte and PE as well...inelegible for Pole Awards now though...and the shootout.

 

[HUTfan]

Good Luck to Bobby & Petty Enterprises next year

 

[Patrick9999]

The Bobby LaBonte/Robbie Loomis combination should make for a competitive team.

Good luck to 'em.

 

[Mopardh9]

That's the way i look at it too , with Loomis there it should help turn things around. It sure would be great to see that 43 in victory lane again.

 

[This Buds For Me]

thats awesome....i really hope this works out...its time for PE to be competive again and i think bringing in labonte and loomis will help here....this is great news.

 

[bumpzter]

Unfortunately I don't think we'll see the team being successful just because they have a new nice guy as a driver. What they need is exactly what Whizzer said in a related thread.
>>>"If King Richard will open the purse strings and put some money into solid engineering, horsepower and build a cohesive first quality team .........etc, etc " <<<

And as much as I like and respect Bobby, going from a Gibbs team to a Petty team is not a step up the ladder, but in fact a less than lateral move. IMO anyway.

Will Loomis make much of a difference? I don't think so. Robin Pemberton tried with no success. But I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Bucky Badger]

Unfortunately I don't think we'll see the team being successful just because they have a new nice guy as a driver. What they need is exactly what Whizzer said in a related thread.
>>>"If King Richard will open the purse strings and put some money into solid engineering, horsepower and build a cohesive first quality team .........etc, etc " <<<

And as much as I like and respect Bobby, going from a Gibbs team to a Petty team is not a step up the ladder, but in fact a less than lateral move. IMO anyway.

Will Loomis make much of a difference? I don't think so. Robin Pemberton tried with no success. But I hope I'm wrong.

Well hopefully Robbie was smart enough to set things straight with the Pettys before he jumped over there.

 

[Magnethead]

Well doesnt PE already use everham engines, cars, and other stuff?

 

[N2racin44]

I doubt that Bobby was looking to "step up the ladder" as he has said his heart told him to go to PE. Far too many people working for Joe Gibbs caused him to lose interest in driving for him. Honestly I believe he is going to have a better season next year driving the 43 then he's averaged over the past couple in the 18.

 

[This Buds For Me]

well now there is a rumor out there that Tommy Baldwin wants to go to PE.......if this is true...it sounds like PE is opening up the purse and finally starting to pay for some things.