NASCAR Daily News Headlines * June 11, 2008

Bobby Labonte Signs For Four Years

Labonte, 44, began driving the No. 43 Dodge in 2006. In that time, he has garnered three top-five and 11 top-ten finishes. Labonte finished 18th in the 2007 Sprint Cup point standings, the highest finish for Petty Enterprises since the 1999.

“I have known all along this is where I want to finish my racing career,” said Labonte. “The future is very bright for Petty Enterprises. As we continue to develop and learn from this new car we will increase our testing and engineering support. The investment from Boston Ventures will allow us to compete on the same level as the bigger Sprint Cup teams.” In Robbie Loomis, Jeff Meendering, Derrick Finley and others, we have some of the brightest minds in the garage area. They will continue to expand our resources which will continue to pay dividends for us both on and off of the track.”

“After the initial meeting I had with Boston Ventures, it was evident they shared the same vision and desire to return Petty Enterprises to Victory Lane that we all have,” continued Labonte. “Their enthusiasm is contagious. When you can pair that with ‘The King,’ the confidence and success that he portrays, you have an organization that will be as strong as any in the Sprint Cup Series.”

Labonte began his driving career at the age of five, racing quarter-midgets across the country from his family’s home in Corpus Christi, Texas. Soon after he began racing, the family moved to North Carolina to support the racing efforts of his older brother, Terry Labonte. The younger Labonte continued racing in the competitive late model stock division on the short tracks around the Carolinas and Virginia. He made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in 1982 at the age of 18. For his career, Labonte has 10 Nationwide Series wins and the 1991 series championship. Labonte made his first Sprint Cup start in 1991, and has 21 career wins to go along with his 2000 series championship.

Labonte is the only driver to win both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series championships. He and Terry are the only brother tandem to win the Sprint Cup Series title.

“Bobby Labonte is a first-class driver who gives us credibility on the racetrack and in the corporate boardroom,” said Petty Enterprises Vice President of Race Operations Robbie Loomis. “There is a reason why he is a series champion and one of the most respected people in the NASCAR garage. The success he has enjoyed on the racetrack speaks for itself. He is also one of the most popular drivers in the Sprint Cup Series and is a great ambassador for Petty Enterprises and for all of our partners. Everyone at Petty Enterprises is excited to have Bobby in No. 43 Dodge for 2009 and beyond.”

Boston Ventures Buys Into Petty Enterprises

BOSTON VENTURES Boston Ventures, which has invested $2.4 billion in more than seventy companies, has agreed to a capital investment in Petty Enterprises and the Richard Petty Driving Experience. This infusion of capital will allow Petty Enterprises to grow significantly and continue to invest in additional personnel, equipment, technology and testing.

Barry Baker, Managing Director of Boston Ventures, will become Chairman of Petty Enterprises. He brings more than 30 years of industry and operating experience to the firm. Prior to joining Boston Ventures, Mr. Baker was President and Chief Operating Officer of USA Networks, Inc. Andrew C. Davis, Managing Director of Boston Ventures, will also serve on the newly-formed Petty Enterprises Board of Directors. “The King” Richard Petty will hold the title of Chairman Emeritus and will continue to be actively involved in the business.

“The time has come for Petty Enterprises to take the steps necessary to get back to Victory Lane,” said Petty. “This is something I have taken a great deal of time to think about and I’m comfortable with the decision I have made and to have Boston Ventures as my partner in Petty Enterprises. Boston Ventures will provide us with the capital necessary to compete for wins and championships. Over the years, many of their investments have been partnerships with family-owned companies. In each of those cases, Boston Ventures has stayed true to the family mission, while improving the overall well-being of the company.”

“There is no doubt this is an emotional decision for our family, for my dad, my mother, for me, for my sisters, for the grandkids, for all of us,” said Kyle Petty. “We have labored over this decision for a long time, but it’s absolutely the right decision. And not just for our family but for the 152 families that depend on Petty Enterprises. My grandfather founded Petty Enterprises in 1949 and over the years we have won a ton of races and 10 championships, but most importantly created livelihoods for many families and the investment by Boston Ventures will secure the future of Petty Enterprises for many generations.

Roush In Flyover

“This will be a great honor for me to celebrate the military and to remember all the veterans and flyover at the conclusion of the National Anthem, in my hometown, as it were,” Roush said. “It’s going to be fun to do that. And, I’ve got to make some phone calls; rather than do a one-ship, it would be my intention if I can organize it to do a four-ship, so I’ve got to see if I can scare up three friends with T-6’s in the area who are the trainers to flyover with my P-51.”

After the flyover, Roush will helicopter back from Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Mich., and be back at the Irish Hills track for the race, which will feature three of his drivers, Erik Darnell, Colin Braun and Bobby East.

Roush is one of the most successful owners in MIS history. His 10 victories as an owner in the Cup Series at MIS are second only to the Wood Brothers (11). His drivers swept the weekend in June 2007 at MIS with Darnell (ARCA), Travis Kvapil (NCTS) and Carl Edwards (Sprint Cup) all winning their respective events. Despite his success in racing over the years, Roush still maintains his love for flying and regularly flies by MIS when he has time.

“It’s always been something that I’ve been interested in. As a youngster I built balsawood model airplanes, first with rubber bands for power and then later with little nitro-burning engines for power,” he said. “I designed my own airplanes and built them from kits just as I grew into being an adolescent, I was very active in pursuing that interest. And then of course, in the ’80s when I was road racing real hard, I had a chance – or excuse or the reason – to have a corporate airplane to fly around, as I do today, and then that really got me started with personal aviation as far as being a pilot.”

Among one of the most famous fighters of World War II, the P-51 has its roots in both Britain and the USA. The P-51 would be unmatched by any other piston aircraft of World War II.

Tickets for the Cool City Customs 200 are available by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Fans who have purchased tickets for the race gain free admission to the Miller Lite Rock N’ Racing concert presented by Cool City Customs featuring country music star Sammy Kershaw. The concert will begin approximately a half hour after the conclusion of the race.

Truck Crew Chief Fined

Frazier was fined $2,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31 for violating Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (determination that truck, truck parts, components and/or equipment used in the event do not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20B-12A (rear axle housing offset from vehicle centerline) of the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rule Book.