Labonte to announce semi-retirement

UPDATE #2 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. See Hot News item. 10/10/04 Hendrick Motorsports has a press conference scheduled with Terry Labonte for Tuesday morning, when Labonte supposedly will announce he is cutting back to a limited schedule for 2005 and 2006. Kyle Busch is slated to be Labonte's full-time replacement, moving up from the Busch Series. Supposedly, Labonte will drive the #44, his first number in NASCAR, while Busch will get the #5. NASCAR.com Buzz 10/03/04 Terry Labonte has scheduled a press conference next week to announce his plans. Labonte is expected to announce his semi-retirement and run a partial schedule next year. Tennessean Labonte said Saturday he will run a schedule of at least 10 races each in 2005 and 2006 for Rick Hendrick, his car owner since 1986. A formal announcement will be made at an Oct. 12 press conference at the Hendrick shops. Labonte, who has driven #5 for Hendrick, will switch to car #44, the number he drove for Billy Hagan from 1979-1986. High Point Enterprise