August 31, 2009

Corpus Christi native Bobby Labonte, the 2000 NASCAR Cup champion, has been replaced in the #96 car for seven races by Erik Darnell, who will be making his Sprint Cup debut this weekend in Atlanta. It's the latest blow to Labonte's career, and it's one that Labonte apparently didn't see coming. When asked how Labonte took the news, Yates general manager Max Jones was honest:

"Not good," he said. "I wouldn't have either if I was him. He's a class act; he's a professional. I had to explain my side, why I was doing it, and he wasn't happy about it. But he understood, and I respect that."

For its part, Yates has struggled to attract sponsorship and drivers, and Labonte's decision to come to the team last December was a boost to the organization. The team already runs Paul Menard in the 98 Ford, but Menard is sponsored by -- conveniently enough -- Menard's, and so cash isn't an issue. Travis Kvapil ran earlier this year for Yates, but sponsorship coin had run out. There's talk of bringing in a third driver next year, perhaps Jamie McMurray, but the sponsorship issue still remains. Darnell was a business decision, getting him more seat and broadcast time to attract sponsors, but one that surely rings sour with Labonte.

Darnell will run at Atlanta, and is projected to be in the seat at Loudon, Kansas, Talladega, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead. That leaves five races for Labonte, and it's a good bet those are the last five races he'll run in a Yates ride. Question is, will he get another?