Yates' point swaps put Labonte, Menard in top 35

CONCORD, N.C. -- Bobby Labonte and Paul Menard, the two newest members of Hall of Fame Racing and Yates Racing, now have guaranteed top-35 starting positions after the teams transfered points from existing cars.

Labonte, driver of Hall of Fame's No. 96 Ford, will receive Yates Racing's points from the No. 38. Driver David Gilliland finished 27th in owner points in 2008.

Yates Racing's No. 98 Ford, to be piloted by Menard, received the points transfer from the No. 28. Driver Travis Kvapil, who finished 23rd in owner points last year, will start the season as a fresh entry in the No. 28.

The points transfer puts Labonte and the No. 96 in the Budweiser Shootout as a wild-card entry for Ford.

Yates Racing and Hall of Fame Racing aligned their teams last week, with Yates Racing operating the No. 96 entry for the full 2009 Sprint Cup schedule. Doug Yates and Max Jones will continue as co-owners of Yates Racing, while Tom Garfinkel and Jeff Moorad will continue as co-owners of Hall of Fame Racing.

With the recent expansion of the Yates Racing facilities, the No. 96 will operate out of the Yates complex in Concord, N.C.