RICHMOND, Va. — Bobby Labonte became the latest driver to take himself off the free- agent market, agreeing to a contract extension with Petty Enterprises, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The former Cup Series champion had been considering an extension since late last year and decided this week to continue driving the famed No. 43 Dodge.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Saturday because portions of the deal, including sponsorship, are still being completed.
David Hovis, a spokesman for Petty Enterprises, said the team had nothing to announce Saturday about Labonte’s future.
“We still remain 100 percent convinced that Bobby will be with Petty Enterprises next season,” Hovis said.
There’s been high interest in Labonte’s future, especially since Richard Childress Racing announced last month that he’ll expand to four cars next season. As the 2000 series champion, Labonte carries a provisional that would help the car make the field at the start of the season.
It became an even better fit when General Mills, sponsor of Labonte’s car, was moving its financial backing to the Childress ride.
But Labonte chose not to discuss his future during the past month of speculation.
Veteran driver Martin not fan of burnouts.
Mark Martin has never been one to mince words, and he seems even less inclined to worry about ruffling feathers now that he’s only racing part time.
Take the topic of burnouts, for example, that moment after a victory when many drivers smoke their tires so much that the car is enveloped in a cloud to the delight of fans.
“I think they’re real juvenile,” Martin said. “It’s disrespectful to the equipment, but it makes good TV.”
Martin said the closest he’s come to doing that was when his car slid onto the grass at Lowe’s Motor Speedway after he won the Coca-Cola 600. The car slid across the Coke logo in the grass.
“That was a stretch for me,” he said. “I’d rather take the checkered flag and hurry on to Victory Lane and get there so I can start enjoying it.”
Wilkerson tops funny car qualifying
MADISON, Ill. — Tim Wilkerson topped the funny car qualifiers for the fourth time in seven attempts in the O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals, making a quarter-mile pass at 4.744 seconds and 326.16 mph.
Australia’s Dave Grubnic earned his first No. 1 qualifier of the year, the eighth of his career and his first in St. Louis when he turned in a 4.467 at 319.90 in his St. Louis Carpenters’ Union top fuel dragster.
In pro stock, Jason Line picked up his first No. 1 qualifier of the year.
