Roush’s Talent Surplus Zapped Bobby Labonte

by Charlie Turner

Thanks for stopping by OnPitRow.com and the Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie blog. The best NASCAR and IndyCar news and opinion, exclusive pictures and video. I'm Charlie Turner. Follow me on Twitter @onpitrow

September 1, 2009 1:27 pm UTC 2 Comments

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Eric Darnell is going to replace Bobby Labonte in the Ask.com Racing Ford Fusion at Atlanta this week.

At Atlanta. When you replace Bobby Labonte at Atlanta Motor Speedway, you have to really want to.

Labonte was, not too long ago, the king of AMS. That’s why I have to argue a bit with Matt Mercer’s contention – that Bobby just can’t get the job done.

But that doesn’t mean that I think the other part of this story is bogus. Erik Darnell is ready for a shot at a big ride. He’s part of the Roush-Fenway minor league system, and he’s gone as far in the Busch leagues as he can go. Pushed from the bottom up, by the likes of Colin Braun and Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Darnell has to move up, or out.

It’s a tough pill for Labonte to swallow, according to reports. He isn’t taking it well. I wouldn’t either. But guys get bumped in this business. Ask Jamie McMurray – another Roush-Fenway castoff.

We interviewed Bobby last week On Pit Row. Steve asked him about his plans for 2010 and as expected, he was vague, evasive. I wish we had him today. Listen to our interview with Bobby Labonte. Click the player at the start of this post.

Filed under: Ask.com Racing, Bobby Labonte, NASCAR, NASCAR Rumors, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio, Roush Racing

Tagged with: Clin Braun, erik darnell, ricky stenhouse jr.

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Comments

2 Responses to “Roush’s Talent Surplus Zapped Bobby Labonte”

Matt Mercer on September 2nd, 2009 12:39 am

Guys do get bumped in this business. There’s always going to be turnover. Kyle Busch was fired from Hendrick to make room for Dale Jr. Hendrick made the decision then to keep Casey Mears over him. Cases like this are all over the sport. Let’s just say this, if Bobby is back with HoF i’ll be shocked and I’ll buy anyone who can say with certainty he will be back a steak dinner.
Charlie Turner on September 3rd, 2009 12:00 pm

I agree with you Matt. Bobby is done in the Roush stable. But I don’t think he’s done in Cup. At least I hope not.

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