NASCAR's Terry Labonte - From Boy to Superstar

Terrance Lee Labonte was born on November 16 inat the same time.
1956 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He is also the olderIn 1997 Labonte had twenty top-ten and won at
brother of Bobby Labonte and the father of JustinTalladega Superspeedway. He won at at Texas
Labonte. Labonte started out with the quarter-midgetsMotor Speedway and the Winston all star race in 1999
in 1963 and by the time he was 9, Labonte hadbut only came in 12th in points. The next year, Labonte
already won a National Championship. Once hewas forced to miss several races as he was
reached his teens, Labonte took on the local shortdiagnosed with inner ear injuries. He went back in 2001
stacks and won track championships in Corpus Christi,and won two top-six finishes but came back in 23rd in
Houston and San Antonio.final points. The next year he went down to the 24th
Labonte made his NASCAR debut in 1978 when hespot in points.
qualified for the 19th and finished fourth that weekendIn his next season, he won his second career best at
at Darlington Raceway. The next year, although he lostthe Mountain Dew Southern 500 and his pole since
out to the NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the year2000 at Richmond. Into the 2004 season Labonte
title, he went on to finish up in the top-ten in points. Hemade it known public that he would make that season
bounced back the next year when he won thehis last full-time season. In 2005, he came in 12th at
Winston Cup on Labor Day. Although he did not makePocno Raceway while driving part-time. The next year,
any big wins for the next couple of years, heLabonte past-champion's winnings gave his team the
maintained on the top five positions through out thosespot needed in the first five races. They finished with
couple of years. In 1985 he made his Busch Seriesthe 30th spot that season in points. In the next season,
debut and won the race at Charlotte.Labonte finished at third place at Infineon after taking a
In 1986, he had four pole starts and won the Hollyfuel mileage gamble.
Farms 400. In 1988 he won the fourth place in pointsLabonte, who is an avid hunter is also known as the
and went back to tenth spot in 1989 for theIceMan for his calm nerves on the racetrack, is also
championship. He did however, win his fist pole in 1991actively involved in charities like the Ronald McDonald
and had four top five finishes in 1992 with a 8 eightHouse and the Victory Junction Gang Camp, which
spot finish in points. He had a better year in 1996 whenare the few among many. He was also voted on of
he managed to win North Wilkesboro and won theNASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998 and both the
championship as well. Even though he was driving withLabonte brothers have a park named after them in
a broken hand, he managed to pull it off and droveCorpus Christi. They've also been inducted into the
through the dual victory lap with his younger brotherTexas Sports Hall of fame. Labonte's son, Justin
Bobby, who had won the race. The Labonte brothersLabonte, used to race in North Carolina and was also
made history that day to be the only time siblings hada late model track champion at Caraway Speedway.
brought back the championship and the won the race