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From That's Racin'
By JIM UTTER
ThatsRacin.com Writer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Nextel Cup series veteran Terry Labonte said Thursday his future with Hendrick Motorsports and the series remains up in the air beyond this season.
Labonte, 47, is currently working under a year-to-year contract with owner Rick Hendrick and has said he didn't expect to drive past age 50.
The quick rise of Hendrick's young talents, Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch, have prompted questions about how soon Labonte, a two-time Cup series champion, would leave the Hendrick organization.
"I told Rick last year I didn't know how much longer I wanted to do this and we needed to be up front about it so they could make plans for their future down the road," Labonte said.
Labonte said several possibilities remain open beyond this year, including remaining with Hendrick, driving for another team and driving a partial schedule the way veteran Bill Elliott has with Evernham Motorsports this season.
"I will be honest with you, there are probably only a handful of teams I would consider driving for and it would have to be a Chevy. I'm not going to drive for another make of car and Rick and I are partners in a Chevrolet dealership," Labonte said.
"If somebody came up and said they had a three-year deal, I wouldn't do it because I don't want to run three more years."
Labonte's name has been mentioned in connection with Richard Childress Racing's No. 30 Chevrolet, which has Dave Blaney signed through the end of the year, and a new third team planned for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Asked about his interest in other teams, Labonte said: "I haven't really talked to anybody really seriously."
Retirement, whether at the end of this season or later, would be a difficult decision, Labonte said.
"I still think I can do this and be pretty competitive at it and I think I could bring something to the table to somebody," Labonte said.
Earlier Thursday, Busch, 19, confirmed his original contract with Hendrick expires this season, although it includes an option year Hendrick can pick up, but hasn't yet.
"Supposedly, I am going to have some contract conversations sometime in September, or whenever they give me a piece of paper that I can sign," Busch said. "I hope they give me something to sign because my deal is up. I'm sure they are going to give me something."
Busch said he would like to run in the Cup series next year, but if he did, either a current Hendrick driver would have to leave, or the organization would need to expand to a fifth Cup team.
Hendrick spokesman Pat Perkins said Thursday it was "a given" Busch would remain with the organization.
Perkins also said Busch was slated to run in the Busch Series again next season, but added, "Anything can happen."
Although he hopes to join his older brother, Kurt, in Cup next season, Kyle Busch remains unsure if he is ready to make the jump.
"If I could, I'd like to be in Cup next season. But, man, I just hope I can get a lot more successful in the Cup series here in the next four starts we're going to make this year," Busch said.
"Right now, it's hard to run a partial deal and be successful. On the other hand, you want to jump over there and do well; you don't want to jump over there and suck.
"Basically, I just want make sure everything is in the right order it needs to be to jump up and be successful."
Labonte's struggles this season – he is 24th in points with three top-10 finishes – has added to the uncertainty of his future.
"Last year we had a great year and I was really looking forward to next year," he said. "I really felt like we'd be in the top 10 in points right now and be having a better year.
"It's a little disappointing where we're at right now. It's not anybody's fault. This is a tough business."
By JIM UTTER
ThatsRacin.com Writer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Nextel Cup series veteran Terry Labonte said Thursday his future with Hendrick Motorsports and the series remains up in the air beyond this season.
Labonte, 47, is currently working under a year-to-year contract with owner Rick Hendrick and has said he didn't expect to drive past age 50.
The quick rise of Hendrick's young talents, Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch, have prompted questions about how soon Labonte, a two-time Cup series champion, would leave the Hendrick organization.
"I told Rick last year I didn't know how much longer I wanted to do this and we needed to be up front about it so they could make plans for their future down the road," Labonte said.
Labonte said several possibilities remain open beyond this year, including remaining with Hendrick, driving for another team and driving a partial schedule the way veteran Bill Elliott has with Evernham Motorsports this season.
"I will be honest with you, there are probably only a handful of teams I would consider driving for and it would have to be a Chevy. I'm not going to drive for another make of car and Rick and I are partners in a Chevrolet dealership," Labonte said.
"If somebody came up and said they had a three-year deal, I wouldn't do it because I don't want to run three more years."
Labonte's name has been mentioned in connection with Richard Childress Racing's No. 30 Chevrolet, which has Dave Blaney signed through the end of the year, and a new third team planned for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Asked about his interest in other teams, Labonte said: "I haven't really talked to anybody really seriously."
Retirement, whether at the end of this season or later, would be a difficult decision, Labonte said.
"I still think I can do this and be pretty competitive at it and I think I could bring something to the table to somebody," Labonte said.
Earlier Thursday, Busch, 19, confirmed his original contract with Hendrick expires this season, although it includes an option year Hendrick can pick up, but hasn't yet.
"Supposedly, I am going to have some contract conversations sometime in September, or whenever they give me a piece of paper that I can sign," Busch said. "I hope they give me something to sign because my deal is up. I'm sure they are going to give me something."
Busch said he would like to run in the Cup series next year, but if he did, either a current Hendrick driver would have to leave, or the organization would need to expand to a fifth Cup team.
Hendrick spokesman Pat Perkins said Thursday it was "a given" Busch would remain with the organization.
Perkins also said Busch was slated to run in the Busch Series again next season, but added, "Anything can happen."
Although he hopes to join his older brother, Kurt, in Cup next season, Kyle Busch remains unsure if he is ready to make the jump.
"If I could, I'd like to be in Cup next season. But, man, I just hope I can get a lot more successful in the Cup series here in the next four starts we're going to make this year," Busch said.
"Right now, it's hard to run a partial deal and be successful. On the other hand, you want to jump over there and do well; you don't want to jump over there and suck.
"Basically, I just want make sure everything is in the right order it needs to be to jump up and be successful."
Labonte's struggles this season – he is 24th in points with three top-10 finishes – has added to the uncertainty of his future.
"Last year we had a great year and I was really looking forward to next year," he said. "I really felt like we'd be in the top 10 in points right now and be having a better year.
"It's a little disappointing where we're at right now. It's not anybody's fault. This is a tough business."
oh my, sounds like he might not be having as much fun anymore. I know eventuall they all have to retire, but I'm just not as ready to see some of them retire as others. 
