The Associated Press reported this weekend that sources close to negotiations told the AP Bobby Labonte had reached a deal with Petty Enterprises to remain the driver of the No. 43 Dodge for the 2009 season.

Despite this report, Labonte and those involved contend nothing has been decided.

Labonte, the 2000 Cup Series champion, has drawn the interest of teams such as Richard Childress Racing, who need to fill the seat for their fourth Cup team in 2009. Last month, General Mills – current sponsor on Labonte’s No. 43 – announced it would be leaving Petty Enterprises to join that fourth RCR team as a primary sponsor at the end of the 2008 season.

Some in the garage have pointed to this move as proof that Labonte is moving on. Speaking with HardcoreRaceFans.com at Richmond International Raceway, Labonte said that no decision had been made.

“I’ve been talking with a lot of people,” Labonte said, “I don’t know when there will be an announcement.”

David Hovis, a spokesman for Petty Enterprises, explained, “The status hasn’t changed, it is the same it was a month ago.”

Although there has been no official announcement as of yet, Hovis pointed out that negotiations between the Petty organization and Labonte were ongoing and that they “felt good about everything.”

A driver with an abundance of talent, Labonte has struggled while behind the wheel of the No. 43. Since joining the team in 2006, Labonte has only three top-5’s and nine top-10’s, while his best finish with the team was a third at Martinsville in 2006.

Jeff Burton, driver of the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, pointed out this weekend, “I think Bobby is a talented driver. You don’t win a championship and do the things he’s done in this sport, obviously he knew he was taking on a lot when he went to Petty’s to try to help rebuild that. That’s been a tough process. I’m sure they haven’t had the success that Bobby expected or that Petty Enterprises expected…You put Bobby Labonte in a fast race car and Bobby Labonte will go fast in it.”

Whether Labonte stays at Petty Enterprises or joins another team is still up in the air.

Sources close to the negotiations are reporting a deal has already been made, while Labonte and Hovis have said otherwise. As far as an official decision, no announcement has been made.