Owner Point Swap Official for Yates Teams (Plus Budweiser Shootout Lineup)

It's official, Paul Menard and Bobby Labonte will have guaranteed spots in the first five races of 2009.

In a press release issued this morning, Hall of Fame Racing announced that the No. 96 Ask.com Ford would receive the manufacture's wild-card spot in the upcoming Budweiser Shootout.

The reason it receives that spot, not just because Labonte is a past champion, but because the team will take over the No. 38 points of David Gilliland.

The No. 96 joined the Ford family at the right time," said Hall of Fame Racing Co-Owner, Tom Garfinkel. "We're pleased to get Hall of Fame and Ask.com into the Shootout and have an early chance to start working towards solid top-five and top-10 finishes this season.

"We are pleased to be working with Bobby Labonte and Yates Racing and look forward to seeing this combination of talent come together for the first time in the Shootout."

The team's other newcomer, Menard, will be the beneficiary of a points transfer as well, and will receive a spot in the Budweiser Shootout.

According to the release, Labonte will receive the No. 38 points (27th in standings), while Menard will inherit the No. 28 points (23rd in standings).

The decision to make the changes came as a result of sponsorship for both the No. 96 and No. 98 of Menard.

Menard brings his family business along with him, for a full-time sponsor in 2009.

Labonte, currently only has half the season sponsored by Ask.com, but it is possible it could turn into the entire season.

Travis Kvapil will begin the season outside the top-35 in the No. 28.

Here is a look at the Budweiser Shootout lineup as of today (You know how things can change in NASCAR, so it may be different tomorrow!)

Chevy: Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Casey Mears, Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart (wild-card).

Dodge: Kasey Kahne, David Stremme, Kurt Busch, Reed Sorenson, Elliot Sadler, Robby Gordon and AJ Allmendinger (wild-card?).

Ford: Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, David Ragan, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard and Bobby Labonte (wild-card).

Toyota: Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Brian Vickers, David Reutimann, Michael Waltrip and unknown driver in the No. 22 (wild-card).

Overall, it should be interesting to see how Labonte and Menard fare in Yates cars. Maybe Menard can pull off that first win?