May 20th, 2010 
Journo When a driver becomes a Cup Series champion a certain amount of gravitas is permanently attached to him. Being a champion puts a driver in the league with the sports all-time greats and marks him permanently in the annals of history in the sport. He’ll forever be introduced as a Cup Series champion. I digress.
There had been rumblings for a while that TRG would begin starting-and-parking. Given their limited sponsorship and their history with the practice it seemed incredibly likely that it would happen again this season. The one caveat I heard though was Bobby Labonte would not participate in the practice.
Unfortunately on Sunday Bobby did just that. After 65 laps, the TRG car pulled into the garage and ended its day early citing “electrical” issues. I think we all know what that means.
After 19 seasons, 594 starts, 21 wins, and one championship Bobby Labonte deserves better. He owes it to himself and to his legacy to not ever start-and-park again.
Now a lot of drivers have had less than spectacular years toward the end of their careers. Think Dale Jarrett, Darrell Waltrip and others. Still they went out with their dignity intact, knowing that they left nothing on the table. It’s just not realistic, especially in this day and age, to leave the sport (or any sport) on the very top, Ned Jarrett-style. What Bobby Labonte did though was far below not making races or running in the back.
At age 46 Bobby Labonte isn’t going to have a Mark Martin or Jeff Burton-esque rebirth or renewal. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I feel comfortable in saying Bobby Labonte’s best years are behind him. That said, I don’t have a problem with the guy continuing to race if that’s what he wants to do. He deserves better than a start-and-park ride with a mediocre team though.
As good a guy as he is, I’d much rather see him retire or look for opportunities in lower series, than to see this continue. Here’s hoping Bobby Labonte, the man and the Cup Series champion, realizes he and his legacy deserve better.
Casey Mears Is In the All-Star Race? What!?
If I was James Finch at this moment I would be furious. I would be on the phone wearing out Mike Helton, John Darby and anyone else who would take my phone calls. Why you ask? Because NASCAR allowed Casey Mears to sub for Brian Vickers in the All-Star race – something Casey neither earned nor deserved.
This puts James Finch in exactly the same situation as Red Bull – both had teams that won a race, but don’t have the winning driver in the car. Red Bull is allowed to sub a driver, Finch and Phoenix are not.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand the seriousness and unexpected nature of the situation at Red Bull. It stinks for the #83 team that Brian Vickers is unable to compete because of his health. Certainly this was beyond Team Red Bull’s and Vickers control.
Still, NASCAR has a duty out of fairness to every competitor to uphold their rules (note these are THEIR RULES). If something unexpected happens the sanctioning body should not change set rules or guidelines to accommodate a particular organization or driver.
This is a admittedly a bit of a stretch, but NASCAR didn’t give Denny Hamlin his position back this past weekend after he was wrecked under caution by Clint Bowyer. Hamlin couldn’t control what Bowyer did – it certainly was unexpected. But there is no precedent for giving a driver his position back and it would have been unfair – NASCAR didn’t do it. This situation should not, in my opinion, be any different.
My point here is, it is ridiculously unfair to change the rules in the middle of the game and not make concessions for others in a similar position. Incidents like this do absolutely nothing to help the credibility of NASCAR as a sanctioning body – let’s be honest it makes them look wishy-washy. It says they’ll change the rules depending on who you are and whatever unfortunate extenuating circumstances you may be facing. Bad move NASCAR.
Posted in 
Tags: 
Kinda the same deal with the 26 team. They (according to car owner points) won a race last year too.
As a HUGE Bobby Lanonte fan it absolutely KILLS me to seem him doing the dreadful start-and-park! Your absolutely right Journo with all of your opinions! Lets go Bobby! I know he will make the right move.
Start-n-Park: why doesn’t NASCAR just add to their “official” list of cause for retirement? “Electrical” issues, “Suspension” issues, “Money” issues, etc.
Journo wrote: “At age 46 Bobby Labonte isn’t going to have a Mark Martin or Jeff Burton-esque rebirth or renewal.” So let me get this straight. Does being 46 have anything to do w/ BL being able to compete, or not?
Obviously MM deflects aging w/ a rigorous workout routine. IMHO the physical aging has less to do w/ going fast, or not. The stage of life and family situation weighs plays more into the risk vs reward decisions in the car.
Just to make the All Star situation fair between Finch, Red Bull, Brad K and Penske here is what needs to happen. Since Penske cannot run Verizon for BK, Red Bull doesn’t have a healthy winning driver and Finch lost his winning driver in BK. Finch fields a car for BK w/ Red Bull logos and Penske supplies Dodge engines. Run a new COT chassis w/ a Mustang body (ala NW). Call it a “Hybrid” team (seems to be the buzz word lately). Should the car win the cool million….Brad, Roger, Red Bull and Finch each get an even slice at $250K.
Put Bobby in a good car and he will show everyone what he can still do. Bobby is not washed up; He has some of the worst luck in these past seasons but he still has what it takes. The sad thing is, this sport has changed big time. Now its about money and nothing but money. I wish someone would give Bobby a chance in a good car for one season, if he continued to have bad finishes and nothing to show, then yeah it would be time to think about moving on, but Bobby deserves a chance just as much as every one else. Sadly it’s a money sport now so doesnt look to good for a chance of this happening. BOBBY IS A GOOD DRIVER AND A GOOD PERSON, SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND GIVE HIM A CHANCE
Neon: You don’t think that a person aging changes their physical ability? Bobby Labonte being 46 certainly has an effect on his ability to drive a race car. Ray Lewis is still an amazing NFL linebacker, but he just doesn’t move like he used to. He makes up for his fading physical talent by being really smart at the game. Some guys, like Mark Martin, are able to overcome it, and others aren’t.
Ryan Bobby had his chance in good equiptment look how he was running at the end of his tenure at Gibbs he was an also ran in excellent equiptment since Tony was winning championships at that time.
Journo in regard to that All Star situation I don’t understand why NASCAR has 2 sets of rules for very simialar events. For the Bud Shoot out doesnt car and driver both make the event if there is a change it doenst make sense why there should be a difference here. Isn’t the team part of why that driver won the race in the first place? However I know how dangerous/frustrating to try to understand NASCARs thinking with some of the rules they put in place.
It’s rare that I strongly disagree with something I read on this website, but this is one of those times. When I read the news that NASCAR would allow Mears to drive the #83 in the All-Star race, my first thought was “I’m glad NASCAR made the right decision for once!” In my opinion, it’s less about Mears and more about the team as a whole. That team, with the same regular driver they still have, won a race last year and has earned their place in the race. (As a side note, why don’t car owners get into this race? I thought they used to…) Should NASCAR take that place away from them because of a freak health problem? Regardless of what the rules may or may not say, in my heart, I feel like NASCAR made the right call, for once, and my opinion of NASCAR improved somewhat when I heard this news. I’m also glad that Mears has at least won a race and was in the All-Star race on his own merit last year, which I think makes it better than if they threw, say, Scott Speed in the car.
I recall Mark Martin admitting a while back (at least I’m pretty sure it was him) that he isn’t as quick to react as he used to be, showing that age definitely does play a role. However, he added that what he does with that reaction time is better than what it was when he was younger, and that’s why experience is so valuable.
Bobby Labonte should not continue to start-and-park. He deserves better. I think he did it last week knowing that they have full funding for the All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600, but once we get into June, if they haven’t gotten any additional sponsorship, I believe he needs to leave that team. It is disappointing, but who knows, it still may not signal the end. Many people thought Casey Mears was done, but now he’s substituting in a car that made the chase last year! Anything is possible…but not if he continues to start and park.
Fair and right in the same sentence as NASCAR? They don’t look wishy washy, they are, will be, always have been. I date back to the late model sportsman day’s and nothing has changed. Parity, a level playing field, should encompass the sport as a whole, not just the cars! It doesn’t and hasn’t. The arrogance is too strong. NASCAR has always believed they were the sport, not the competitors, not the fans. It’s a fiefdom now and tomorrow!
83. If it is the CAR that becomes eligible for the All Star race with a win, Finch should be allowed to field his Cup car with any driver of choice. If it is the DRIVER who becomes eligible with a win, like it appears in the rulebook (Keselowski now in the 12), then Vickers unfortunately will miss and no substitutions should be allowed. I definitely wouldn’t like the 83 team getting cheated out of a chance, but if you have rules, shouldn’t they be followed regardless of popularity?
As for Bobby, we were just talking about this, Rusty Wallace ended his career on a high note too having made the Chase. Things aren’t going to end that well for every Champion, and it appears Bobby’s name is on the list. I wish he wouldn’t do this, but apparently that is his choice since he still wants to drive and I respect it. I don’t believe ANY driver wants to be part of the SNP blight, but it is there because NASCAR allows it. Rules again.
i hate to say this but bobby kind of put him self in this pickle signing a deal with Petty Motorsports back in 2006 putting him in a bad car with a bad team. He deserved better then he could have stayed with the 18 and continued his sucessful carrer. Instead his overall finish became 25th. Making teams think he was past his prime when he really wasn’t he is paying for that choice till this day.
We don’t know about Labonte’s finances. Remember, he has a contract, and if he wants to avoid start & park, he gives up a lot of money. Lots of pro athletes aren’t good money managers. It would be nice if he told them to pound sand, but it’s his business.
NASCAR is being wishy washy with the rules as it is a ‘feel good’ public relations move with the 83 cup team, in regards to the all star race. Plus it a business move with a major sponsor, I’m sure.
I’m with ya’ll, rules is rules… if you make concessions for some people, you have to let all the rest in. Which… is why the rules are there to start with.
It is supposed to be an All Star race, after all. Casey Mears has never impressed me as a fan… and I’m just a fan, no driver development expert… but ya either get it up front and across the line first or you go somewhere else. Well, unless yer Dale Jr. and you can sell t-shirts.
I was noticing that this will be Dale Jr.’s last year for eligibility as a past winner of the All Star race… 10 years past winner of the event.
I don’t see him winning a race this season the way he’s been running this year, unless he sneaks up on one at Daytona or Talladega.
I’m curious if they’ll change the rules again so that he’ll be eligible next year… yeah, I wrote it.
By the way, to everyone… I’m not a Jr. hater, but he needs to get with it or hang it up.
-W
TC: Does age affect physical ability? Sure. Does age affect one’s ability to drive a racecar? Nope! At least not at 46. NASCAR is not the NFL. That is apples to oranges. What is true is that age and desire are usually inversely proportional. However, few select special drivers and athletes in general, can hit that sweet spot where physical ability, trade skill, experience, desire, determination and circumstances simultaneously intersect. You don’t have to look much farther than Scott Pruitt at age 50 in Grand Am for an example of the best…regardless of age.
Now I don’t know Bobby Labonte personally, but I suspect he is a team player that will do what is required to get Buckler’s team through a rough patch. A perfect situation? Nah. Playing the money game to keep the doors open for now? No shame in that IMHO.
Hey where is Carl Long this weekend one year out from controversy? In the 01 truck. Thanks NASCAR!
aj, bobby did not have the same equipment/resources at the end of his run at gibbs. interstate batteries had greatly reduced their finances so he was pretty much hung out to dry at that point. the biggest mistake he made was when he didn’t go with general mills to rcr at the end of 2008. as i write this i lay odds that general mills would still take him right now, he fits their demographics better than clint bowyer,not that bowyer would get canned. as a huge fan of his it just sickens me to see him in this mess. i just wish a childress or a stewart would throw him a bone because in grade a equipment he could still get er done. the single car teams in this sport are finished. it seems to me he isn’t a big fan of multicar teams but if he wants any chance of succeding again that is his only recourse.
When i read this article, I was expecting to read something about Bobby Labonte being more deserving to drive the #83 than Casey Mears. That certainly wasn’t the case……
I know the age diffrence between Labonte and Mears is significant, but heck, didn’t Mike Skinner once fill in for Red Bull at some point? Come on, If TRG is going to Start & Park, let Labonte drive the #83. Mears is the one that should pursue rides in a lower series.
If Michael Schumacher can come back and be competitive in F1 (maybe the toughest auto racing in the world) at age 41, then 46 is not really over the hill, it all depends on the man and the motivation. I am a huge Mark Martin fan.
It is like an older MLB baseball pitcher who can still use his wisdom of the game to win but maybe he has to change his strategy, maybe start throwing smart curveballs instaed of 100 mph fast balls.
As far as S&Pers …… now I have mixed emotions…..
I was sure I hated the whole idea, but if a quality “trustworthy” driver like Bobby can make some good money and use his wisdom to NOT tear up a car on a money tight team, then what the heck, maybe it is OK fro him to keep on keeping on …….but then I start thinking back the other way, S&Ps are bad for racing …so heck I dont know………
But as far age, if Michael Schumacher can finish 6th in the Monaco Grand Prix (barring that penalty to 12th ruling) then I say GO FOR IT BOBBY!!!!
PS
I hope everyone had a chance to watch last Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix, it is one of my favorite races of all time, and it is great every year, including this year. This history of that race is as great as any, and that tiny country, and the great course etc etc etc…. Someday, before I die, I want to make it to that race.
How does Casey Mears look at himself in the mirror when he shaves? He carries a $20 million dollar a year sponsorship with his family, otherwise he wouldn’t have a job. If I was LaBonte, I’d quit before I’d start & park
About the substitutions…. It’s not unheard of. I remember a couple Winstons from the early 1990s where drivers were in the big race without racing their way through the Open. Dave Mader made the 1992 Winston only because he was driving for Melling Racing, which won the year earlier with Bill Elliott. Tommy Ellis and Kenny Wallace substituted for Geoff Bodine and Kyle Petty, respectively, in 1991 as both missed due to injuries. Harry Gant was called from retirement to sub for Elliott in the ’96 Winston.As a former race winner and championship contender, Gant was certainly a worthy and sentimental choice.
If my memory serves, the Busch Clash/Bud Shootout was always about the pole winner, regardless of which team he drove for the next year or which team he won the pole with the year before. As The Winston rules varied, there were allowances for winning car owners, I believe. I don’t know if those still exist, which may be why Finch isn’t fielding a car.
I’m OK with Mears substituting for Vickers. The Red Bull guys deserve their shot. The team earned it. Unfortunately their driver won’t be in the seat Saturday night.
I just want to say that Bobby Labonte needs to take a GOOD look at his life, while Mears should take advantage of the situation. You can argue all you want, but Mears is in that ride this week, you can’t change that, so go with what you have.
Other Kevin: If Mears carried a $20 million a year family sponsorship, why has he been driving for unsponsored teams for much of this year? Are you confusing him with Menard or Townley?