Labonte leaves Petty Enterprises

CHARLOTTE -- Bobby Labonte is looking for a ride for 2009 in the Sprint Cup Series after being freed Thursday from his contractual obligations with Petty Enterprises as that team acknowledged it is in "exclusive negotiations" about a merger with Gillett Evernham Motorsports.

"I'm very anxious to prepare for the 2009 season," said Labonte, who has 21 career Cup victories and who won the Cup championship in 2000 when he drove for Joe Gibbs Racing. "I do not currently have a contract with any other team, but I am ready to explore all opportunities and form the next partnership in my career."

Labonte, 44, drove the No. 43 Dodges for the past three seasons.

The most attractive ride that remains open for next season is the No. 41 car, sponsored by Target. It has not yet been filled as Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and Dale Earnhardt Inc. work on details of their own merger.

"Petty Enterprises and I had serious and very sincere discussions about what was best for myself and everyone involved at Petty Enterprises moving forward," Labonte said. "These discussions culminated with us agreeing that moving in a separate direction will be the greatest way to reach our goals."

Labonte signed a four-year deal in June at the same time that Boston Ventures announced it had purchased majority ownership of the team that has been part of NASCAR history since 1949 and the first race in what is now the Cup Series.

"I am, and will always be, very appreciative of what Richard Petty and the Petty family, every employee of Petty Enterprises and members of Boston Ventures did to invest in bettering my career," Labonte said.

The team issued a separate statement saying that if a merger with Gillett Evernham is completed "it is expected the resulting company would ... house the famed No. 43 car." If there is no merger, the "current plan" is to field the No. 43 as a single-car team for 2009.

"We expect these discussions and decisions to take several weeks," said David Zucker, chief executive officer of the team since its purchase by Boston Ventures.

General Mills ended its sponsorship of the No. 43 at the conclusion of the 2008. It is moving to Richard Childress Racing for 2009. No new sponsor for the No. 43 has been named, leading to speculation that after a merger, the No. 10 car at Gillett Evernham could become the No. 43 with Reed Sorenson as its driver.

Sorenson, ironically, drove the No. 41 car in 2008.