Bobby Labonte's departure from Petty Enterprises another grim symptom for a storied NASCAR team

First the Wood Brothers admitted they would contest just 12 of 36 races next Sprint Cup season. And Petty Enterprises, which was mostly consumed by Boston Ventures this year, is parting ways with former champion Bobby Labonte (inset) as it explores another union with Gillett-Evernham. The storied No. 43 (so associated with team co-owner Richard Petty, above) could become part of a four-car stable at GEM, sad, but perhaps a better fate than the Woods' legendary No. 21.

This is bad stuff. But it is progress. It's like the Canton Bulldogs going away, but after a whole lot more history.