Labonte to run part-time N'wide schedule for RCR

WELCOME, N.C. -- Richard Childress Racing has signed Bobby Labonte to drive part-time in the Nationwide Series.

The 2000 Cup Series champion and 1991 Busch Series champion, Labonte will compete in 15 races next season for RCR.

Labonte made his series debut in September 1982 at Martinsville, where he finished 26th driving a car owned by his father, Bob Labonte. He has 197 starts in NASCAR's junior series, including three full seasons from 1990-92, and has 10 wins, 49 top-five finishes and 98 top-10s.

"I'm really looking forward to driving for Richard and the No. 21 team in the Nationwide Series next year," Labonte said. "I had a great time in the one race I did for them in 2004 so I'm excited about running 15 races with a team that has won a lot of races and a couple of championships. RCR's Nationwide Series program has been at the top for years and I hope I can help keep it there."

RCR's No. 21 team earned six victories in 2007 with driver Kevin Harvick and has earned two of the organization's four series championships. Harvick and Johnny Sauter shared driving duties and won NASCAR's first owner-only championship in 2004 and Harvick won the overall championship in 2006.

Securing sponsorship for the program is ongoing.

"I've watched Bobby's career since he was a rookie in the Cup Series in 1991," Childress said. "He's a champion in every sense of the word and, with crew chief Shane Wilson and his championship-winning team, we know they will continue the No. 21 team's winning legacy.

"We're working on getting sponsorship all lined up but all of us at RCR are honored to have Bobby driving the No. 21 Chevrolet next season."