Labonte hired to replace Ambrose at JTG in 2011

HARRISBURG, N.C. (AP) -JTG Daugherty Racing has hired Bobby Labonte to replace Marcos Ambrose next season.

Labonte's hiring to drive the No. 47 Toyota was made Wednesday, a day after the team said Ambrose was moving on.

Labonte won NASCAR's top championship in 2000 for Joe Gibbs Racing. His last victory in the Sprint Cup Series was in 2003 for JGR, and he's moved around a good bit since then.

He started this year with TRG Motorsports but terminated the contract in June. He drove a few races for Robby Gordon, made his 600th career start for Phoenix Racing earlier this month at Daytona, and is now temporarily back with TRG.