ESPN Sprint Cup

ESPN.com preseason rank: No. 25

2009 Outlook

Bobby Labonte was on his way to sign a contract with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing to drive the No. 8 car when the phone rang in mid-January. It was Hall of Fame Racing offering a deal for him to drive the fully funded No. 96 that was partnering with Yates Racing.

The 2000 Sprint Cup champion was thrilled; "freaking excited" as he later said. After three winless seasons for Petty Enterprises in the famous No. 43, which came after two winless seasons for Joe Gibbs Racing, he was ready to get back into equipment capable of visiting Victory Lane.

He was ready to show he hasn't lost the skills that made him a champion.

"Exactly," Labonte said. "You are a part of your equipment and a part of your team. We'll make the best of this. I've got great people around me. That makes you look forward to doing what you normally would do on a normal day."

Crew chief Todd Parrott has high expectations: "Win two races. That's a realistic expectation. By the end of the year we'll have made the Chase."

Labonte should be in the thick of making the top 12, although his last win came in 2003 for Gibbs and he's had only five top-10s the past two seasons.

"I look at this as a reset," Labonte said. "I figure the next race I win will feel like the first one because you have success and you want more success, if you really want to do it. You want to have it. It's about winning and being the best you can be in the sport that you're in, so I view it that way myself.

"I feel like this is a great opportunity, and it's given me that reset button that I can push and go forward, so, hopefully, great things will come out because of that."

2008 Review

Labonte began the year by signing a long-term extension with Petty Enterprises. It ended with him asking for his release from the company set to merge with Gillett Evernham Motorsports.

In many ways this was Labonte's worst since 1994. He had only two top-10s and led only four laps, finishing 21st in points. He wasn't a threat to win outside of a sixth at Talladega.

He has a shot at the title if: The title isn't realistic, but making the Chase is. The Yates package with Roush Fenway is one of the best in the series. If Travis Kvapil can finish 23rd with a partly sponsored car, then Labonte has to be a threat for at least the top 15.

He won't win the title because: It takes wins and bonus points to be a serious threat, and Labonte hasn't shown that ability in five seasons. Maybe it was the equipment, but until he visits Victory Lane a couple of times the jury is out.

-- David Newton