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AJ Allmendinger will replace Bobby Labonte next week at Michigan International Speedway for JTG Daugherty Racing and possibly four more races.
The move is being made by the single-car operation to help refine the direction for the team's development of the Gen-6 Camrys housed in their Harrisburg, N.C. shop.
“Bobby Labonte wanted to help our team grow and develop when he signed on with our organization at the beginning of the 2011 season,” stated JTG Daugherty Racing co-owner Brad Daugherty.
“He continues to do a tremendous job for us. Bobby has given us his ideas for improving the product and we believe AJ will do the same."
Stated JTG Daugherty Racing competition director Bobby Hutchens, "A single-car team does not have the benchmarking capabilities of all the multi-car operations we compete against each weekend. This move will help us identify where our cars stand so that we can go to work on the next generation of our car design.”
Allmendinger, 31, believes he can assist the JTG Daugherty Racing team.
“I have raced for Phoenix Racing some this year and feel confident I'll be able to provide JTG Daugherty Racing with a good comparison," said Allmendinger. "I'm thankful for this opportunity to work with the team and Bobby (Labonte).”
Allmendinger has driven a limited NASCAR schedule since being suspended for a failed drug test last year. Roger Penske fired him but gave him another chance in IndyCar. He's set to drive in two NASCAR Nationwide Series races this season for Penske Racing.
Daugherty said the team will put the 49-year old Labonte back behind the wheel at some point.
"Hopefully, this will help Bobby moving forward," Daugherty said. "This isn't an unseating of Bobby Labonte,” said Daugherty.” We just want to figure out why we're struggling so badly.
Labonte has 21 wins in 703 career cup starts but hasn't won a race since 2003.
The move is being made by the single-car operation to help refine the direction for the team's development of the Gen-6 Camrys housed in their Harrisburg, N.C. shop.
“Bobby Labonte wanted to help our team grow and develop when he signed on with our organization at the beginning of the 2011 season,” stated JTG Daugherty Racing co-owner Brad Daugherty.
“He continues to do a tremendous job for us. Bobby has given us his ideas for improving the product and we believe AJ will do the same."
Stated JTG Daugherty Racing competition director Bobby Hutchens, "A single-car team does not have the benchmarking capabilities of all the multi-car operations we compete against each weekend. This move will help us identify where our cars stand so that we can go to work on the next generation of our car design.”
Allmendinger, 31, believes he can assist the JTG Daugherty Racing team.
“I have raced for Phoenix Racing some this year and feel confident I'll be able to provide JTG Daugherty Racing with a good comparison," said Allmendinger. "I'm thankful for this opportunity to work with the team and Bobby (Labonte).”
Allmendinger has driven a limited NASCAR schedule since being suspended for a failed drug test last year. Roger Penske fired him but gave him another chance in IndyCar. He's set to drive in two NASCAR Nationwide Series races this season for Penske Racing.
Daugherty said the team will put the 49-year old Labonte back behind the wheel at some point.
"Hopefully, this will help Bobby moving forward," Daugherty said. "This isn't an unseating of Bobby Labonte,” said Daugherty.” We just want to figure out why we're struggling so badly.
Labonte has 21 wins in 703 career cup starts but hasn't won a race since 2003.