2009
On January 13, 2009, Labonte was confirmed to be the driver of the #96 Ford Fusion for Hall of Fame Racing, now in a partnership with Yates Racing. Ask.com sponsored the car for most races in 2009, In the 2009 Spring Las Vegas race, the Shelby 427, Labonte recorded his first top 5 with Hall of Fame racing, and his best finish since he finished third in the Fall Martinsville race in 2006. However that was his only Top 5 run for the year. With eleven races remaining in the 2009 season, Labonte was replaced for Erik Darnell for 7 of the final eleven races due to sponsorship problems with the #96. Labonte found a ride with TRG (The Racers Group)Motorsports and its 71 for the 7 races he was out of the 96. His first race at Atlanta, Labonte ran inside the Top 20 all night and scored a 18th place finish. Two races later Labonte gave TRG its best qualifying effort with a 8th place start, Labonte came home 22nd. At Talladega Labonte finished 10th place, and at one point was running second in that race to Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
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