| We previously reported that Bobby Labonte would | | | | rookie Chad McCumbee taking the wheel for the |
| leave Petty Enterprises to join Richard Childress | | | | remainder. "Texas Terry" is expected to drive in five |
| Racing as that organization's fourth driver in 2009. | | | | of the seven summer races. |
| Nothing has changed, but it looks like the 2000 Cup | | | | Labonte's past champion provisional allows him to |
| series champion will stay put according to Petty | | | | enter the field without having to qualify, giving the |
| official Robbie Loomis. Labonte is expected to | | | | Pettys a needed luxury for the struggling |
| announce his future plans in early June. | | | | organization. He will also act as mentor for |
| Terry Labonte, a two-time Cup series champion, will | | | | McCumbee, 23, much as Martin does with Aric |
| join Bobby at Petty Enterprises next month and drive | | | | Almirola at DEI. Terry's 1996 Winston Cup title, his |
| the No. 45 Dodge in at least three races in '08. I | | | | second after winning in '84, guarantees him a spot in |
| discussed that development in March stating that | | | | the field since he's the most recent champion on a |
| Petty had prior discussions with Terry and would | | | | team that is outside the top 35 in owner points. |
| probably use him in road course events (the Infineon | | | | The 22-time Cup series winner (Bobby has 21 career |
| race is June 22). | | | | wins) and avid fisherman drove in two road-course |
| The two siblings were teammates once before when | | | | events last season for Michael Waltrip Racing: at |
| Bobby drove for Joe Gibbs Racing in '05. Terry drove | | | | Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California, and at |
| in five events that year for JGR. | | | | Watkins Glen International in New York, and also at |
| As he did in '07, Kyle Petty will suspend his ride in the | | | | Indianapolis. |
| 45 car to complete a six-week assignment as a | | | | Affectionately known as "The Iceman," his last |
| racing analyst for TNT's NASCAR package. He'll miss | | | | full-time ride was in '04 when he guided the No. 5 |
| one more race in order to give his daughter, | | | | Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Kyle Busch took |
| Montgomery, away in marriage on May 31. Petty's | | | | over the 5 car a year later and drove two full |
| last event before the interruption is this weekend's | | | | seasons for Rick Hendrick. In addition to his stretch |
| Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. His next | | | | with JGR, Terry has seen limited time with Hendrick |
| scheduled race after Memorial Day is at Indianapolis | | | | and with Hall of Fame Racing, driving in a combined 31 |
| on July 27. | | | | events in 2005-'06. |
| In step with Mark Martin at Dale Earnhardt Inc., the | | | | His last win was the '03 Southern 500 at Darlington, |
| elder Labonte, 51, will handle the 45 part-time, with | | | | the site of his first victory at the Cup level in 1980. |