The deal between Labonte and Phoenix Racing is a one-race deal, so there’s no work yet as to whether or not Labonte will have a ride for other races in which Allmendinger will be driving the No. 47.

“Racing for another team this weekend will be another process in helping me understand the development of the new car and how it compares to my current ride,” Labonte said. “I’m not happy with our current performance level as a team and absolutely want to work hard to help our race team improve. My commitment continues to give the best efforts possible each weekend. That has never changed and this opportunity will hopefully make everyone, including myself, get a better understanding of where improvements can be made. We just completed our first test at Kentucky, which was valuable time spent on the track, that should assist in improving our team performance starting this weekend and going forward.”

This weekend’s Michigan race won’t be the first for Labonte with the Phoenix organization. He made 14 starts, previously for the team.

“James has always been one of the first to reach out to offer help in a situation like this,” said Labonte. “I enjoy racing with Nick Harrison, Steve Barkdoll and the entire group of guys. I’m looking forward to this weekend.”

Labonte doesn’t, yet, have a deal to drive for anyone in 2014.

– Photo courtesy of Getty Images for NASCAR

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“Bobby Labonte wanted to help our team grow and develop when he signed with our organization at the beginning of the 2011 season,” JTG Daugherty Racing co-owner Brad Daugherty said. “He continues to do a tremendous job for us. Bobby has given us his ideas for improving the product, and we believe A.J. will do the same.”

According the team press release, the decision to put Allmendinger in the car for select races was made with the hopes of helping the organization’s development of its Gen-6 race cars.

“A single-car team does not have the benchmarking capabilities of all the multi-car operations we compete against each weekend,” team Competition Director Bobby Hutchens said. “This move will help us identify where our cars stand so that we can go to work on the next generation of our car design.”

Allmendinger has been racing a partial Sprint Cup Series schedule, so far, this year from behind the wheel of the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet while also racing part-time in the IZOD IndyCar Series for Team Penske. He has previously raced full-time at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level for teams including Penske Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports and Red Bull Racing.

“I have raced for Phoenix Racing some this year and feel confident I’ll be able to provide JTG Daugherty Racing with a good comparison,” Allmendinger said. “I’m thankful for this opportunity to work with the team and Bobby (Labonte).”

– Photo courtesy of Getty Images for NASCAR

Follow Stock Car Spin on Twitter @SCSblog or like Stock Car Spin on Facebook. Amanda’s also on Twitter @NASCARexaminer and has a fan/like page on Facebook: NASCAR Examiner