((HT: ESPN/Newton))
Bobby Labonte, who was pulled from the No. 96 Hall of Fame/Yates Racing car earlier this week in favor of Erik Darnell, didn't sit idle for long.
The 2000 Sprint Cup champion will attempt to qualify the No. 71 Chevrolet for TRG Motorsports for Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, according to the latest entry list.
At stake in qualifying is Labonte's streak of 568 consecutive Sprint Cup Series starts -- the second-longest active streak in the series and eighth-longest of all time. Jeff Gordon has the longest active streak with 569 consecutive starts.
Labonte also may drive in the other six races in which he will be replaced by Darnell.
David Gilliland, 37th in points, was on the original entry list for the 71. He has made 22 of 24 races with an average finish of 35.2.
Under normal circumstances Labonte would guarantee the No. 71 in the Atlanta field as the most recent past champion. But because he was a late entry, that does not apply. It will, however, apply in future races he runs for TRG.
Labonte, who was 30th in points in the No. 96, has not been available for comment since being replaced. Multiple sources close to the situation said he was not pleased with the move.
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