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Practice 1 (11 am)  -Practice 2 (1 pm)  – Qualifying (4:30 pm)
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Bobby Labonte is listed on the entry list for this weekend’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Earlier this week Yates Racing announced Erik Darnell would run seven races this season (beginning this weekend at Atlanta) in the #96 Hall Of Fame Racing car. This of course meant Bobby Labonte was out of a ride, at least temporarily on that end. He of course will likely continue his consecutive race streak with TRG Motorsports who on Thursday announced Labonte would run those seven races with them.

Before I launch into what I’m about to say, let me emphasize I think both Bobby Labonte and Erik Darnell are great and talented guys; neither would be where they are if they weren’t. I honestly don’t have a bad thing to say about either of them and certainly don’t write this with malice toward either side.

Since the announcement was made there has been a lot of discussion about the “fairness” of this deal. Many have said that Yates is stabbing Labonte in the back, and that Labonte was being punished for his loyalty. Others seem to characterize Darnell as the bad guy, making it out like he bought this ride out from under Labonte.

Unfortunately none of the above are true.

Bobby Labonte entered 2009 with two options: go to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with only partial sponsorship and hope something comes through; or go to Hall of Fame Racing with Ask.com and have assurances for most of the season. We know which he picked.

Unfortunately, like his option one, there wasn’t sponsorship for the entire season with Hall of Fame, something that was very clear from the beginning. Obviously the hope was they would close those gaps before those races came.

As such Roush and Yates did what they could, tapped their present sponsors and they got a bite. Northern Tool and Equipment a long time supporter of Erik Darnell came through, but with Darnell, not with Labonte. Academy Sports and Outdoors, a previous sponsor of Labonte’s at Hall of Fame, is also sponsoring Darnell for three races.

Beyond being a former champion and all around good guy Labonte isn’t necessarily an easy sell. His performance over the previous five seasons has waned and this season has been no different. The only bright spots were a fifth place finish at Las Vegas and a 12th place finish at Charlotte. He presently sits 30th in points.

I know there are some out there that will say Labonte hasn’t been in the greatest equipment since leaving Gibbs, and I certainly won’t disagree. Consider though that during his final season with Gibbs in 2005 Labonte had just four top-fives and seven top-10s. He finished 24th in points while his teammate Tony Stewart won the championship with five wins, 17 top-fives, and 25 top-10s. The previous season he had five top-fives, 11 top-10s and finished 12th in points. The fact is he was with a very good team and didn’t do much.

Labonte, at this point in his career just doesn’t have what he used to have (look at his stats if you don’t believe me). He’s good for making races and finishing races, but competing for wins and running up front likely won’t happen.

On Labonte’s replacement, I know many of you will say he hasn’t done a whole lot and doesn’t deserve this. I would tend not to agree.

In his very short career Darnell has three full seasons in the Truck Series with Roush and two wins. He finished fourth in the points in 2008. This season he has had ten starts in the Nationwide Series but has run pretty well, racking up two top-fives, five top-10s and an average finish of 12.3.

On top of that he has something Labonte doesn’t have: youth and potential. I think given time Darnell could be good. Unfortunately running a limited schedule is not the best way to continue to develop as a driver.

I caution everyone though not to blame this move on Darnell or somehow develop ill will for the him. He’s not Paul Menard or John Wes Townley; by no means is he buying this ride. This decision was made by Roush and Yates, not by him and he should not be punished by the fans because he has developed a good relationship with a sponsor.

Likewise I find it more than a little disappointing to read comments from people wishing to see Darnell fail. Why? I understand the intense feelings and allegiances of fans, but put yourself in his shoes. Would you turn down this opportunity? I sure wouldn’t.

Like we have said so many times before, this sport is first and foremost a business and this was a good business move for Yates. Doug Yates and Max Jones can not afford to operate a team unsponsored. They were given an opportunity to keep the car running, with funding, with another promising driver and they took it. Unfortunately Labonte was the odd man out.

Carl Edwards may have to forgo a backflip if he wins this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.