Bobby Labonte Follows His Heart; Re-Signs with Petty Enterprises

If you’re a Bobby Labonte fan, the suspense is over. Yesterday, Petty Enterprises held a press conference at Lowe's Motor Speedway to announce the re-signing of Bobby, to a four year contract, and keeping him in the No. 43 car for the rest of his career.

They also announced that Boston Ventures, a private equity company based in Massachusetts, purchased controlling interest in Petty enterprises. Richard will still have a role with the team, but Barry Baker will be new Chairman and David Zucker takes over as CEO.

This move will allow Petty Enterprises to be more competitive against the other bigger teams in Sprint Cup and will have more needed money also. No sponsor was announced yet, but I would like to see UPS or Caterpillar Cat Power come aboard.

I was shocked by this move. I honestly thought Bobby was headed to Richard Childress Racing, part of a package deal with Cheerios.

I also figured with driving 21 races, in the Nationwide Series for RCR in the No. 21 car was ultimately working with his new crew members and building a work relationship with Shane Wilson.

Plus, I favored him moving to RCR, back racing Chevy's, added in Jeff, Clint, & Kevin as teammates, Mr. Childress would have inspired him, been more competitive and ultimately back in Victory Lane again.

Now I would be happier with him staying at Petty, had they announced a sponsor for the No. 43 and that they signed say a more competitive driver to take over the No. 45 car for Kyle, who announced at press conference would retire.

Also, had Bobby left, it would be the end of Petty Enterprises and probably would not have survived the lose. Of course, basing that statement on the fact on Kyle in No. 45 limited sponsor and no proven name to jump in the No. 43 plus sponsor less.

When Bobby moved to them, he thought he made a decent decision. But it's been hard to watch him just running laps and not racing competitively like I know he can.

I hope with this addition of Boston Ventures that he now will have the resources to not only make the chase but also win races again. The perfect example would be the Pocono situation last weekend, being fourth on the restart late in the race and go onto win the race not ending up finishing 11th.

Let me concluded that it didn't matter where Bobby went.  I would still be a fan of his and still have my fingers crossed that they switch to Chevrolet cars.