Bobby Labonte Teams up with Yates-HOF Racing in '09

Foxsports.com is reporting that former cup champion Bobby Labonte will not be driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing as previously suspected. Instead Yates Hall of Fame Racing has signed Labonte to a full season.

Along with that comes much needed sponsorship for the No. 96 Ford with search engine giant Ask.com—signing up for 28 races this season. Longtime sponsor DLP will remain the title sponsor for the remaining races.

This has been a whirlwind last 48 hours for HOF-Yates racing co-owner Tom Garfinkel commented, "With our new Yates partnership and having a true champion and class person in Bobby Labonte behind the wheel, we're expecting great things on the race track." 

Labonte and the now defunct Petty Enterprises parted ways this offseason. Many thought he would drive the No. 8 car in 2009.

Yates racing added driver Paul Menard and along came his father's sponsorship of home improvement giant Menard's in the Ford No. 98.

Though Travis Kvapil and David Gilliland finished 23rd and 28th in points in 2008, Menard will likely inherit those points leaving them to search for sponsorship in 2009.

For Labonte, this new deal gives him not only a ride but a strong partnership with potential crew chief Todd Parrot who Labonte has successfully worked with before.

With only six weeks to Speedweeks 2009,  the Labonte and Parrot team would allow this organization to come out the gate running at Daytona.

"I'm excited to be part of what Ask.com is bringing to our sport," Labonte said in a statement. "In a time like this, it's great to see a sponsor come in with technology and ideas that will help all of the competitors in NASCAR and enhance the experience for all of our fans, no matter which driver or team they cheer for."

Labonte brings something to Yates-HOF Racing that they didn't have before—experience. During these economic times, experience is crucial for any struggling organization that wants to compete with the likes of Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs' Racing.

Sources:foxsports.com