Bobby Labonte’s Sprint Cup career took another sharp turn Tuesday, with the 2000 Cup Series champion agreeing to drive the No. 96 Fords for Hall of Fame Racing, which has a new association with Yates Racing.
Labonte and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing were working on a deal that would have put Labonte in the No. 8 Chevrolets. The future of that car now is in question.[HOW DISGUSTING IS THAT?]
Labonte was scheduled for a lunch meeting with officials at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing on Tuesday. But shortly before the meeting, informed the organization he had signed with Yates/Hall of Fame, sources said.
The No. 96 is likely to take the owner points from Yates’ No. 38 team, with which David Gilliland drove in 2008 for much of the season without a full-time sponsor. Sources also said that Yates’ No. 28 car, currently driven last season by Travis Kvapil, currently does not have the necessary funding to run the entire 2009 season.
Labonte will be sponsored in 18 of the season’s first 21 races in the No. 96 by Ask.com, an internet search engine company that will announce today a broad sponsorship program that will also make it the “official” search engine of NASCAR and include a presence on NASCAR.com and a number of at-track marketing initiatives. The company has an option to pick up more races beyond the initial deal, as well.
“We couldn’t be more excited,” said Jim Safka, chief executive officer of Ask.com. “Bobby Labonte is a champion, first and foremost. …We look at it from the standpoint that he can be competitive. We are proud to have him.” [As they should be!!]
And brother Terry did drive for them originally.
It’s going to be in the mid 20s tonight down here.