Rumor Becomes Reality
Wasn’t it couple weeks ago Joe Gibbs Racing issued a statement stating Bobby Labonte had a valid contract with JGR and it would be honored?
And isn’t it also true the more adamant the statement, the more likelihood NASCAR related rumors proceeding such statements become fact?
Such is the case with JGR and Bobby Labonte.
Joe Gibbs Racing says Bobby Labonte will no longer drive its No. 18 Chevrolet after the 2005 season, ending the former NASCAR Cup champion’s 11-year career with the team.Future plans for Labonte and a driver for the JGR entry will be announced later.
“One of the things that made this decision so difficult was thinking of all the fans that have supported me at JGR throughout the past 11 years,” Labonte said. “I wish everyone at JGR continued success in the future and I want to thank [team president J.D. Gibbs] for giving me the chance to be released from my contract early and letting me pursue other opportunities.”
With nearly every top ride spoken for at this point you have to wonder just how bad the environment was around JGR for Bobby to be leaving. In my book “other opportunities” damn sure wouldn’t include Ganassi Racing over JGR as the rumors suggest. Of course there is always the RCR, Kevin Harvick rumor still floating around. Maybe I can get a Labonte to the #29 rumor started.
But don’t listen to me, I had Bobby headed to the “Texas Perfect Storm” and sitting in Hall of Fame Racing’s new seat. Close but I had the wrong branch of the family tree.
And this is final confirmation of the Kurt Busch/McMurray deal. Not that it was needed, it was a deal that had to be made both Ford and Dodge wouldn’t let their money flow into the pockets of two lame ducks. The story also continues the Labonte to Ganassi rumor. How the mighty have fallen!
UPDATE: Here is good news for Bobby Labonte fans. Ganassi names Casey Mears as their ‘06 driver of the #42. That leaves rookie Reed Sorenson in the #41 and Labonte in search of a real ride in ‘06. But I wonder, what ever happened to that new Ganassi team, the one with “666″ as it’s number?
NASCAR, Auto Racing, Sports, JGR, Bobby Labonte
From Winston Cup Champion (2000) to no longer wanted driver in five years. The sad part is they make it appear that it was Bobby’s idea to move on, as opposed to getting the boot.
Welcome to big buisiness!
I suppose that’s possible but I didn’t get that impression. I would think if it were Gibbs doing the pushing towards the door there would have been alot of rumore floating about the #18 and there weren’t any by comparisan to others.
In addition there were a few “noncommittal” answers given to the press by Labonte in the last few weeks. Of course that may have been created by being pushed.
Who knows?