This is Bobby's recent answer to all of the speculation about leaving Joe Gibbs Racing. He'll talk about his future when he knows about it.

Posted on Wed, Oct. 26, 2005

Labonte: I'll talk about my future when I know about it

By DAVID POOLE

The Charlotte Observer

Bobby Labonte said Wednesday people will find out what he's going to do in 2006 and beyond in what he considers to be the right order once it actually becomes clear exactly what he's going to be doing.

"The reason I don't have any comment is I don't know what's going to happen," Labonte said. "In my heart, I believe there's nothing to be said until it is time for it to be said."

Labonte currently drives the No. 18 Chevrolets for Joe Gibbs Racing. J.D. Gibbs, the president of that team, said Tuesday he's aware other teams have talked with Labonte but that the driver has three more years on his contract with the Gibbs team.

Labonte, the 2000 Cup series champion, is 24th in points going into this weekend's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. But he is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Sunday's Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

Labonte was angered earlier this year when rumors circulated that he was looking to leave the Gibbs team for another ride, and he criticized reporters for repeating those rumors without checking with him.

"There were all of these rumors flying about, and there was no truth to any of the ones flying about then," he said Wednesday.

Labonte said any comment he might make about new speculation about his future might be misinterpreted and have a negative effect on the people he works with at Joe Gibbs Racing.

"I have a responsibility to 350 employees at Joe Gibbs Racing and to our sponsors in everything that I do, on and off the track," he said. "If I have to address the employees before I tell anybody else about something, that's something I will do."

Labonte said it would have upset him, for instance, if he'd read in the newspaper that team owner Joe Gibbs was going to return to the NFL as a coach. Instead, Gibbs informed Labonte that he was going to return as Washington Redskins coach before it was reported in the media.

"Whether I extend my contract for 10 more years or not at all ... whatever happens I have to address people in the right order," Labonte said.


Source: http://www.thatsracin.com

Date: 10/27/2005 5:14:10 AM