You may remember that, some months ago, I contacted you all to express my disdain at the state of the designs of Bobby Labonte T-shirts. Let me say first off that I am extremely disappointed this issue has not garnered more attention from Bobby Labonte or his staff of T-Shirt Design Specialists. Not only have I NOT noticed a change in the Bobby Labonte T-shirt merchandise available at NASCAR events, but I have also NOT received a response to my pointed, and I believe quite thoughtful, message to you. You should know I ultimately elected to purchase one of your current XXL T-shirt offerings online to “get me by.” Of course, I am not happy that “Bobby Labonte” is depicted in smaller print, nor do I appreciate the added heat trapped by the black fabric in the Dover parking lot sun, but you all should know I am persevering through the dark ages of Bobby Labonte T-shirt design in the hopes that things will soon get better.

I was getting by just fine until I read my e-mail today and came across a message from you entitled: “[Newsletter] Bobby Labonte Free T-Shirt and Contest!” I hope to express now to you the full shock and outrage when I have discovered the Bobby Labonte merchandising effort is still recklessly running on a perilous course. Imagine my dismay to find that things have deteriorated to the point that Bobby Labonte is now giving away T-shirts that I have to believe most folks would pay good money for if only the T-shirts were better designed. I must say I cannot comprehend the series of right turns you continue to make with your T-Shirt designs.

Still, I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. I can only hope that this is your way of “clearing out inventory” so the new era of Bobby Labonte fanwear can be ushered in. Perhaps you fired the entire T-shirt design crew after reading my earlier communication and hired anew, but, finding the new T-shirt design specialists lacking in ability as well as understanding of my vision for new Bobby Labonte T-shirts, Bobby Labonte was ultimately so disappointed with the initial run that you convinced Cheerios to subsidize this free giveaway to buy time for the new (third) set of T-shirt design specialists to get settled and put some product together.

Lest you get too concerned that these musings have depressed me, let me tell you what conjecture I have settled upon: I have already ordered my Bobby Labonte free commemorative T-shirt, on the off chance that you are actually trying to inject more designs of the ilk I suggested into the NASCAR Bobby Labonte fan base. Note — I have only authorized my credit card for the “shipping” charges — and NOT for any “handling.” I can rip the sleeves off that T-shirt myself, thank you very much.

Just, please, Bobby Labonte, let this not be a so-called “ringer tee.” Those things make me feel like I am all dressed up and wearing a tie, and that’s the last sensation I want to experience at a NASCAR race.

Whatever the reasoning, I’m looking forward to solving this puzzle soon as to what your intentions are with this most recent promotion vis-a-vis T-shirt design as to provide you with further guidance on your design and marketing courses of action. Let me once again state for the record that this should not be hard. What is required of a good, lightweight, white, Bobby Labonte T-shirt is merely a frontal-design mix of the number 43 in yellow with a blue shadow, one Bobby Labonte autopen signature, the word “Cheerios,” and one yellow-and-blue Dodge Charger, front and center, large and in charge, for my fellow race fans (especially the lady ones), to admire. Do what you will on the back of the T-shirt; I only see that part of it when I peel the T-shirt off my sweat-soaked body in a drunken stupor on the ride home from the race.

Anywho, I sincerely hope my pleas for a return to the golden age of Bobby Labonte Cheerios #43 Dodge Charger T-shirts are being heard. I can only hope that this giveaway promotion reflects a greater plan, which you must for some reason keep a secret from me, to substantially revise and improve the design process in Bobby Labonte merchandising.

Watching with great interest the machinations of the Bobby Labonte Team,

Sincerely,

Bobby Labonte Fan for LIFE!!!!

p.s. I am looking forward to seeing Bobby Labonte’s 500th start at Richmond this year. My buddies and I are having a BBQ cookoff competition before the race. Bobby Labonte is more than welcome to attend this event in his honor. Dress is race casual.