Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Sprint Cup Champion, said in a statement that he’s terminating his contract with TRG Motorsports immediately and will drive at this week’s New Hampshire International Speedway for Robby Gordon in a one-race deal. Then he’ll drive for James Finch at Daytona and Chicagoland Speedway.
In a related development sports car driver, Andy Lally, will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup oval debut for the TRG team.
Labonte said "I want to be in a position to win races and be competitive," said Labonte. "I have worked as hard as possible to give my best at the track so far this season. I'm now looking to move on and get back into a position to win races."
This year, in 16 events, his best finish was at the season opener in Daytona where he finished 21rst. His best start was eighth at this past weekend’s race at Infineon Raceway.
Currently 31rst in the Sprint Cup standings he’s looking in all three of NASCAR’s top series.
Gordon the owner-driver for the team said "When we found out that Bobby was available to drive for us, we jumped at it," said team owner Robby Gordon. "To have a past champion driving your car is a good opportunity. I think we can learn from him this weekend and it will help our program moving forward."
"We're going to New Hampshire with the goal of having another solid run for his team. They had a great finish at Sonoma and have some momentum right now. I'm just thankful for the opportunity and hope to get another solid finish for his team,” added Labonte.
The release notes that the team intends to run the entire race.
The next race, the Coca-Cola 400 will be Labonte 600th NASCAR start. Then he’ll go on to Chicagoland.
"It's good to know that we'll have a past champion in our car for these two races," said team owner James Finch. "I've known Bobby for a while and he always works hard behind the wheel. This is a good opportunity for us to race for a win."
Lally drove a Sprint Cup car at Watkins Glen last year and has also run three Nationwide Races previously twice at Montreal and once at Watkins Glen. In 2008 he drove nine races for TRG in the NASCAR truck series.
"This is obviously going to be a big challenge" said Lally. "I am just going to try and feel things out and make the weekend as productive as I can. Without ever racing a COT on an oval before I will obviously be behind the curve a bit to say the least but my goal is to just try and stay out of trouble and not interrupt anyone else's weekend. I know there are guys focusing on the Chase and I will pay extra attention to that."
Future plans for additional races are still being worked out.
In a related development sports car driver, Andy Lally, will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup oval debut for the TRG team.
Labonte said "I want to be in a position to win races and be competitive," said Labonte. "I have worked as hard as possible to give my best at the track so far this season. I'm now looking to move on and get back into a position to win races."
This year, in 16 events, his best finish was at the season opener in Daytona where he finished 21rst. His best start was eighth at this past weekend’s race at Infineon Raceway.
Currently 31rst in the Sprint Cup standings he’s looking in all three of NASCAR’s top series.
Gordon the owner-driver for the team said "When we found out that Bobby was available to drive for us, we jumped at it," said team owner Robby Gordon. "To have a past champion driving your car is a good opportunity. I think we can learn from him this weekend and it will help our program moving forward."
"We're going to New Hampshire with the goal of having another solid run for his team. They had a great finish at Sonoma and have some momentum right now. I'm just thankful for the opportunity and hope to get another solid finish for his team,” added Labonte.
The release notes that the team intends to run the entire race.
The next race, the Coca-Cola 400 will be Labonte 600th NASCAR start. Then he’ll go on to Chicagoland.
"It's good to know that we'll have a past champion in our car for these two races," said team owner James Finch. "I've known Bobby for a while and he always works hard behind the wheel. This is a good opportunity for us to race for a win."
Lally drove a Sprint Cup car at Watkins Glen last year and has also run three Nationwide Races previously twice at Montreal and once at Watkins Glen. In 2008 he drove nine races for TRG in the NASCAR truck series.
"This is obviously going to be a big challenge" said Lally. "I am just going to try and feel things out and make the weekend as productive as I can. Without ever racing a COT on an oval before I will obviously be behind the curve a bit to say the least but my goal is to just try and stay out of trouble and not interrupt anyone else's weekend. I know there are guys focusing on the Chase and I will pay extra attention to that."
Future plans for additional races are still being worked out.