Notebook: Terry Labonte returning as owner-driver

Notebook: Terry Labonte returning as owner-driver


Two-time Cup champion Terry Labonte will attempt to qualify for three races this year as driver for Stavola Labonte Racing, a joint effort between Labonte and car owner Bill Stavola.
Labonte, 53, last competed in the Cup series in 2009, when he made six starts. He has 867 career starts in the series and 22 wins.
The team is scheduled to make its debut next month at Richmond and also will attempt races at Charlotte and Texas. An expanded schedule is in the works for the 2011 season, the team said.
The team will field Chevrolets provided by Richard Childress Racing as well as Earnhardt-Childress engines. Sponsorship will be supplied by Gander Mountain.
“Being both a driver and team owner is an exciting next step for me,” said Labonte, the 1984 and 1996 Cup champion. “We’ve created a first-class management group with Bill Stavola and Bill Henneberry—intensely competitive men who share my goals to develop the next successful team program.”
Stavola, who managed teams with former rookies of the year Dick Trickle and Jeff Burton and veteran drivers such as Bobby Allison, will serve as the team’s chief executive officer.
“We’ve got an undisputed competitive edge with Terry Labonte,” Stavola said. “We’ve built a team backed by a fantastic sponsor in Gander Mountain that will endure on a foundation of shared values—trust and loyalty—and fueled by our love of racing.”

Jack Roush released from Mayo Clinic

Roush Fenway Racing co-owner Jack Roush was released from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., Wednesday after a two-week stay for treatment of facial injuries following a plane crash July 27.
When Roush will return to the racetrack is still to be determined, the team said, but there has been talk among the team that Roush might get to Michigan International Speedway this weekend. The Nationwide and Sprint Cup races are at MIS, which is close to Roush’s home.
The team did not address the extent of Roush’s injuries.
“I’ve talked to him a few times in the last week or so, and he sounds like the same Jack,” said Carl Edwards during a break from Nationwide Series practice Thursday at Michigan. “I’m hoping he recovers well.”
Does Edwards expect to see Roush this weekend?
“You never know with Jack,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he shows up. We hope he stays home and rests. That’s what he needs.”
Roush Fenway Racing fields four teams in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, as well as four teams in the Nationwide Series.

Judge rules against Mayfield’s request

U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen, who in May dismissed Jeremy Mayfield’s claims agains
NASCAR over a May 2009 drug test that NASCAR said was positive for methamphetamines, issued a ruling Thursday denying a request from Mayfield to vacate the decision.
Mullen had ruled in May that Mayfield had waived most of his rights to sue NASCAR when he signed the NASCAR-driver agreement and NASCAR-owner agreement. He also indicated Mayfield did not have enough evidence to support his claims.
Mayfield’s legal team filed a four-page motion in June asking Mullen to reconsider. Such motions are not uncommon, especially when an appeal is planned.

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