| Retirement does not seem to be an easy transition | | | | sponsorships. Petty Enterprises and Roush Fenway |
| in life. Prominent businessmen go into consulting; | | | | Racing have already had discussions with Labonte and |
| former teachers substitute or volunteer; and | | | | would use him on a moments notice. The two-time |
| ex-presidents latch onto their wife's campaign, | | | | Cup series champion has also run in seven previous |
| occasionally stealing the spotlight. | | | | races for struggling Hall of Fame Racing and could |
| For professional athletes, deciding when and where | | | | give J.J. Yeley (31st) some needed help this season. |
| to work seems to be the biggest upside as the glory | | | | Putting Labonte in the No. 45 Dodge would guarantee |
| fades, although the results tend to drift downward. | | | | Petty Enterprises two cars-Terry's brother Bobby |
| Pro boxers march back into the ring and get | | | | (the 2000 champ) being the other-as the storied |
| battered; baseball pitchers prolong their careers get | | | | organization tries to keep up in the 21st century. The |
| exposed for steroids. Among stock car drivers, Dale | | | | Pettys had already considered putting Terry in the 45 |
| Earnhardt was just shy of his 50th birthday when his | | | | for road course events, making that scenario the |
| time was up on that fateful day in 2001. Today, | | | | most likely at this stage. Another option is swapping |
| aging racers are slowing down but not ending their | | | | Bobby's points with Petty, a common move today |
| careers, preferring to drive a limited schedule or | | | | but one that makes purists cringe when the modern |
| become a driver for hire. | | | | loophole is used. Richard Petty has said that option is |
| Mark Martin, 49, has done well in his part-time gig, | | | | unlikely. |
| and long-time great Terry Labonte is the latest to | | | | With a past champion's provisional available, several |
| consider a return to NASCAR. Labonte has already | | | | teams would love to lure the elder Labonte when he |
| made some cameo appearances and got a taste for | | | | isn't casting the lure into his favorite fishing hole. |
| the renown he has missed since hanging up his | | | | Texas Terry used his provisional on three occasions |
| helmet in November '06. Labonte makes it clear that | | | | in 2007 when Michael Waltrip Racing needed an entry, |
| he's not after anyone's job, but has already said he is | | | | indicating he was waiting for another call last season |
| available, meaning some team will surely pick up the | | | | from Rick Hendrick had Casey Mears faltered. |
| 51-year-old in 2008. | | | | Labonte's second championship was in 1996, giving |
| Among potential offers, Kyle Petty's 28th-place finish | | | | him priority over Bill Elliott (1988) and the recently |
| at Bristol keeps him out of the top-35 in owner | | | | retired Dale Jarrett, who has left the points scene |
| points-he's now stuck in 40th position-meaning he | | | | for now. |
| needs to qualify on speed alone for the next race at | | | | Labonte has made it clear that a full-time ride is not |
| Martinsville. Jamie McMurray (36th) and Dario Franchitti | | | | realistic. He simply misses the tracks that he excelled |
| (38th) are out of the top-35 loop and will have to | | | | at over his storied career-e.g., the short tracks like |
| earn starts from week to week, adding intense | | | | Richmond or the road races at Sonoma and Watkins |
| pressure to appease expensive and hard-won | | | | Glen-and believes he has more to offer. |