It's Official...Bobby Labonte just realeased a Press Release at his Feacebook page.
He will race his 600th consecutive start with the #09 Phoenix Construction Chevy at Indy with Phoenix Racing and owner James Finch.
See the press release here: http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001ncxQURES3AvaYGvP8xH...
Bobby said in an interview, "I had a couple of really good options with some great organizations, but I felt this was the best opportunity for Bobby Labonte at this time. This will give us 3 races together in a row to build some chemistry and hopefully help all of us. Having my 600th start at Indy is pretty cool."
What about Casey Mears?
If I had my choice of Bobby being in a 2nd RGM car it would be at Watkins Glen or Talladega!
OK, this was Indy. Is Bobby still in talks with RGM about future events? It seems like he is selling himself out weekly to whoever can give him a good car to race the whole race and not start n park. Is it possible for RGM to provide him this with a second car?
Of course its possible, but you have to have sponsorship in place. Robby still has races of his own that he has to run out of pocket, he certainly isn't going to run another car out of pocket.
For sure, I was surprised to see Bobby having to fall down the ladder as seats were filled coming into this year. There is plenty of time to get something done this year but before you start tying your next shoe finish the one you started. I must admit that it sticks in my side watching up starts and others putting more than one car in the show while we are many years established and still a single car operation, at the same time however I realize RGM is alot bigger and better than those teams I see running lesser quality yet more quantity cars. In the end I just want to see the team running with the pack and i'm able to fall back on the fact the organization as a whole is a killer in its own right. It would be great to see a sponsor show up and say here....then RGM can say all right lets go for the second car, but until then i'm satisfied for the most part with what I have to believe in. But Bobby Labonte as a teammate would bring a ton of undefinable assets to RGM.
It is a shame RGM wasn't able to secure Bobby for Indy.Is the chance for success for Bobby greater at Phoenix Costruction Chevy or is the Hendrick link too hard to resist?
Whatever the reason best of luck to Bobby,and I am hoping for a top fifteen for Robby!!
I say lets put Bobby in the #7 for Martinsville because RG is dreadful there. I'm still hopeful they can get Bobby in a 2nd RGM car at some point because its a guaranteed start and guaranteed information that can be used to benefit the entire team by running the full race. Its only a matter of time before FINCH cannot afford to run anymore and Bobby goes elsewhere and I don't see too many options open.