Retirement does not seem to be an easy transition in life. Prominent businessmen go into consulting; former teachers substitute or volunteer; and ex-presidents latch onto their wife's campaign, occasionally stealing the spotlight.
For professional athletes, deciding when and where to work seems to be the biggest upside as the glory fades, although the results tend to drift downward. Pro boxers march back into the ring and get battered; baseball pitchers prolong their careers get exposed for steroids. Among stock car drivers, Dale Earnhardt was just shy of his 50th birthday when his time was up on that fateful day in 2001. Today, aging racers are slowing down but not ending their careers, preferring to drive a limited schedule or become a driver for hire.
Mark Martin, 49, has done well in his part-time gig, and long-time great Terry Labonte is the latest to consider a return to NASCAR. Labonte has already made some cameo appearances and got a taste for the renown he has missed since hanging up his helmet in November '06. Labonte makes it clear that he's not after anyone's job, but has already said he is available, meaning some team will surely pick up the 51-year-old in 2008.
Among potential offers, Kyle Petty's 28th-place finish at Bristol keeps him out of the top-35 in owner points-he's now stuck in 40th position-meaning he needs to qualify on speed alone for the next race at Martinsville. Jamie McMurray (36th) and Dario Franchitti (38th) are out of the top-35 loop and will have to earn starts from week to week, adding intense pressure to
Putting Labonte in the No. 45 Dodge would guarantee Petty Enterprises two cars-Terry's brother Bobby (the 2000 champ) being the other-as the storied organization tries to keep up in the 21st century. The Pettys had already considered putting Terry in the 45 for road course events, making that scenario the most likely at this stage. Another option is swapping Bobby's points with Petty, a common move today but one that makes purists cringe when the modern loophole is used. Richard Petty has said that option is unlikely.
With a past champion's provisional available, several teams would love to lure the elder Labonte when he isn't casting the lure into his favorite fishing hole. Texas Terry used his provisional on three occasions in 2007 when Michael Waltrip Racing needed an entry, indicating he was waiting for another call last season from Rick Hendrick had Casey Mears faltered. Labonte's second championship was in 1996, giving him priority over Bill Elliott (1988) and the recently retired Dale Jarrett, who has left the points scene for now.
Labonte has made it clear that a full-time ride is not realistic. He simply misses the tracks that he excelled at over his storied career-e.g., the short tracks like Richmond or the road races at Sonoma and Watkins Glen-and believes he has more to offer.
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by Charlie Edwards
March 27, 2008
