Jason Leffler failed to record a top-10 in 19 starts. Credit: Autostock

Gibbs releases Leffler; three to split No. 11 seat

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- Joe Gibbs Racing has released driver Jason Leffler from his driving duties with the No. 11 car in the Nextel Cup Series.

Two-time Cup Series champion Terry Labonte will compete in several of the upcoming Cup races in the No. 11, beginning this weekend at Watkins Glen International.

Jason Leffler, left, and Terry Labonte

Inside the Numbers Jason Leffler in 2005 Track Start Finish Result Indianapolis 18 33 running Pocono 19 24 running Loudon 27 24 running Chicago 43 20 running Daytona 8 18 running Michigan 26 20 running Pocono 30 40 crash Dover 36 20 running Richmond 38 25 running Darlington 25 38 running Talladega 18 26 running Phoenix 18 29 running Texas 29 36 running Martinsville 12 12 running Bristol 36 38 running Atlanta 10 25 running Las Vegas 17 22 running Fontana 39 37 engine Daytona 40 36 crash Average 25.7 27.5   Jason Leffler's career Cup stats Races W T-5 T-10 62 0 0 1

JGR also will turn to its Busch Series drivers -- J.J. Yeley and Denny Hamlin -- to split driving duties in the No. 11 in the remaining Cup races where Labonte is not scheduled to drive.

"This was a difficult decision," said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. "Everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing had high hopes for Jason and the No. 11 team, but our performance wasn't meeting the expectations all of us set forth at the beginning of the year.

"It hasn't been for lack of effort, as Jason is a talented race car driver who worked incredibly hard and was terrific with our sponsor.

"With an experienced veteran in Terry Labonte, the No. 11 will benefit from his 25 years of Nextel Cup racing and, ideally, climb higher in points," Gibbs said.

"In looking toward next year, J.J. Yeley and Denny Hamlin will get some valuable seat time at the Nextel Cup level that will allow us to build the No.11 into a race-winning contender for 2006 and beyond."

Labonte's addition to JGR is a natural. Terry's younger brother Bobby is a 10-year veteran of JGR, having piloted the No.18 Chevrolet since 1995.

The Labonte brothers are the only brothers in NASCAR history to win Cup championships. Terry won the title in 1984 and '96, while Bobby won in 2000.

"We want to thank Hendrick Motorsports for allowing Terry to assist us with the No.11 team," said Gibbs, whose team now features three Cup champions --Bobby, Terry and Tony Stewart (2002).

"In planning the future of the No.11 team, we looked around the Cup and Busch series garages and decided that the two best talents were already driving for us. J.J. and Denny are exceptional race car drivers, and we felt it was important to give each of them a shot at Nextel Cup."