Labonte confirmed at Petty.

Former Nextel Cup Series Champion Bobby Labonte will take the wheel of the most famous car of them all next year after signing a deal to drive the #43 Petty Enterprises Dodge alongside Kyle Petty.

The 2000 Cup Series champ joins new team executive vice president of operations Robbie Loomis as the second high profile addition to the Petty ranks for 2006.

Labonte, 41, joins Petty Enterprises from Joe Gibbs Racing where he won 21 Cup races and the 2000 Championship during his 11-year stretch with the team. He will be a teammate to Kyle Petty, and will also work first-hand with Loomis, who is rejoining the organisation after a successful championship-winning stint at Hendrick Motorsports.

"Winning in our sport is a learned process," said Loomis. "The heritage of Petty Enterprises, coupled with a talented, successful driver like Bobby Labonte, will lead to some great things. There's a lot of work to be done, but we have some tremendous tools here and we're excited about the future."

"We're bringing some serious firepower to the #43 Cheerios Dodge next year and I am excited about having Bobby Labonte as a teammate," Kyle Petty said. "Bobby knows how to win races and how to win championships, as does Robbie Loomis."

"I'm really pleased to be part of Petty Enterprises," Labonte said. "When I first came into this sport, my heroes were Terry Labonte and Richard Petty. To have the opportunity to drive Richard Petty's #43 car is something I could not have imagined growing up. The #43 knows its way to victory lane, and we'll get it back there. I am looking forward to working with Robbie, Kyle, The King and the entire Petty team.

"And, I'm excited about working with households names like Cheerios and Betty Crocker, along with the entire General Mills team. I had a great run at Joe Gibbs Racing, and have the utmost respect for that organisation and appreciate all they did for me. I am fortunate to be going to another high quality organisation in Petty Enterprises," Labonte said.

"Just like Cheerios and Betty Crocker, Bobby Labonte is committed to winning, to family and to community," added General Mills Vice President Laurie Greeno. "We at General Mills are thrilled to have Bobby join the #43 team."

Labonte will replace Jeff Green, who is moving to the #0 Haas CNC Racing stable in place of Craftsman Truck Series bound Mike Bliss.