2011-2012
Labonte replaced Marcos Ambrose as the full-time driver of the #47 JTG Daugherty Racing Toyota Camry, with support from Michael Waltrip Racing. The 47 car was sponsored in 2010 by various brands owned by Little Debbie, Clorox, and Kimberly-Clark, all sponsors returned. He finished 4th in the Daytona 500, earning Labonte his 200th career top 10 finish in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Earning only one more top 10 finish so far in the season. JTG Daugherty Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing received a penalty for violating section 12-1, 12-4-J, and 20-3.2.1A. Crew Chief Frankie Kerr was fined $50,000 and was suspended from 4 NASCAR Sprint cup Championship events, and suspended from NASCAR until November, 23. The same penalty was for Michael Waltrip Racing and the car chief for each team. The owners of the numbers 47(Tad Geschickter); 56(Michael Waltrip); and 00(Rob Kauffman); were penalized 25 owner points. The drivers were also penalized 25 driver points.
For the 2012 season, Labonte will return to the 47 car with most of the sponsors returning also. JTG Daugherty Racing also announced they will no longer operate out of the Michael Waltrip Racing shop. Todd Barrier will take over the role as the crew chief. The current crew chief, Frankie Kerr, will move to the position of shop foreman.
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