Terry Labonte Would Consider Return To Track

(Originally published on March 17, 2008)

Two-time Cup champion Terry Labonte has enjoyed his cameo appearances at the track and would do so again.
Just don't mess with his deep sea schedule.
"A couple of years ago I ran some races for a team and they called me about this race and that race," Labonte said Monday, chuckling while recalling the story. "I said, 'Man, I've already got a fishing trip planned, and invited a bunch of my friends and stuff. They've already made their plans. I can't change them.'"
But when the rod and reel doesn't beckon, Labonte and his past champion provisional would be available, under the right circumstances.
Labonte subbed three times for Michael Waltrip in 2007 to help guarantee the No. 55 Camry a spot in the field, and told the Richmond Times-Dispatch last year he would've helped old boss Rick Hendrick had Casey Mears fallen out of the top 35.
But Labonte made it clear that an appearance would be less about a past relationship and more about running at tracks that he enjoys. He admitted that he'd love to compete at the road races, where his proficiency is well-noted, and he also mentioned short tracks like Richmond as a preference.
More than anything, he doesn't want to have a negative effect wherever he goes.
"Like I told one guy, the only way I'd be interested in doing it is if everybody's onboard with it," Labonte said. "'Cause I don't want this [driver] to think I'm trying to take his job, because the last thing I want is his job. If I could help them, I would."
With Dale Jarrett's retirement from points competition, his provisional is out of play. Labonte's past champion provisional from his 1996 title would take precedence over Bill Elliott's crown from 1988. Teams are considering switching owner points with past champions to guarantee spots in the field-Matt Kenseth/Jamie McMurray and Terry's brother Bobby Labonte/Kyle Petty serving as examples-but the champs are running well enough that racing their way in on speed is likely, giving Terry Labonte's provisional value.
And while Labonte didn't limit a possible appearance to teams he's dealt with, several of his past employers may need his help at some point. Mears' No. 5 Chevy is 33rd in owner points, Michael Waltrip Racing's three entries rank 27th, 30th and 34th. And the No. 96 Hall of Fame Racing entry, which Labonte ran seven times in 2006, is in 31st with J.J. Yeley.
Labonte sounded much like Mark Martin in expressing bliss at the opportunity to do what he wants to do with his schedule.

"I really liked the limited schedule, that was fun," Labonte said of his "Shifting Gears: Lone Star Style" tour of 2005 and '06. "I told those guys, I could do this for a few more years. That was really a nice break, not having to go to all the races but still getting to run the ones you wanted to."