Bobby Labonte To Drive the No. 96 ASK.com Ford

It appears official that Bobby Labonte will drive the No. 96 Hall of Fame Racing Ford in 2009, with Ask.com as the sponsor.

In a press release issued this morning from the company, Ask.com will also become the sanctioning body's Official Search Engine, with category exclusivity and a broad set of promotional rights in order to reach the sport's estimated 75 million loyal fans.

"As part of our strategy to go deeper into the highest-volume categories and provide the best answer, the first time, every time, we want to be the first place fans search on-line for NASCAR information," said Ask.com CEO Jim Safka in the release.

"Through these partnerships, we will break new ground by applying our semantic search technology capabilities to NASCAR-related content while also tapping one of the largest marketing channels in America. Our goal is to win over the millions of loyal fans by providing them with the best NASCAR search experience on the Web, and introduce them to all of Ask's capabilities when they come."

The companies agreement with Hall of Fame Racing will also make them the primary sponsor for the No. 96 Ask Ford in the Sprint Cup for 2009.

The release continued to say that former NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Bobby Labonte, will pilot the car in 2009, beginning next month with the Daytona 500.

According to the release, Ask.com is also in discussions with NASCAR-sanctioned track operators and media rights holders to identify strategic opportunities that will allow the brand to reach the sports 75 million fans through on-and-off-line channels during the 2009 season, including at-track displays and in-arena media.

Tom Garfinkel, Owner of HOF Racing said, "Jeff Moorad and I are excited to add Ask.com as a primary sponsor for the No. 96 car. We've been working closely with Ask.com for several weeks now, and their talented management team has come up with more creative ideas to serve NASCAR fans than I've seen in a long time.

"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 as well."

In the release, Labonte said, "I'm excited to be part of what Ask.com is bringing to our sport. 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." (ASK.com PR)

Having Labonte on the team doesn't actually guarantee a spot in the first five races. Tony Stewart will be the most recent past champion not guaranteed a spot and would get the provisional, should he not qualify.

Labonte should fare well, however, and should have no problem putting the No. 96 in the field.

He managed to drive an under-performing No. 43 car last season to a 22nd place finish in the points.

It should be interesting to see how this team does, switching to a different manufacture for the second season in a row.

B-Blog