November 12, 2005

Bobby Labonte to Drive for Petty

(Filed under: News)

It didn't take long for the announcement to come about Bobby Labonte's future. After the announcement came that he was leaving Joe Gibbs Racing, this week he announced that he was joining Petty Enterprises and would replace Jeff Green in the legendary #43.

It's cool news, but it's also kind of sentimental good news. Richard Petty may be the undisputed King of NASCAR: he's got more wins, more championships (Dale Earnhardt ties Petty for championships), more starts than anybody, and unlike most sports it doesn't seem likely anyone will surpass his milestones. And though Petty raced until 1992, his last win came in 1984, and his last top five in 1988. The #43 car has been in victory lane only three times since 1984 ('96 & '97 with Bobby Hamilton and '99 with John Andretti) and has only one top five in the past five years. Petty Enterprises hasn't exactly been a contender lately.

It'd be awesome to see the team return to victory, and with Robbie Loomis and now Bobby Labonte, they may just have that chance. Though you also have to wonder if signing with Petty is just another sign of Labonte's declining success. I hope not, but I think it takes more than the right driver to make a winning team. You need the right driver, the right crew, the right engines, the right handling--the right everything. I'm not sure if the driver is the only piece Petty Enterprises is missing. I hope so, I'd love to see #43 get a win. But I'm not getting excited just yet.

Posted by kevin at November 12, 2005 11:04 AM

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Comments

Posted by: Clance' McClannahan at November 12, 2005 10:29 PM

Posted by: Antonette at November 14, 2005 4:36 PM