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Labonte Versus Labonte: Who Is the Better Driver?

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you ask 100 people, who is the better driver, Bobby or brother Terry Labonte, you will probably have a split vote. The brothers became the first siblings who have both won the NASCAR championship. Terry was twice the winner in 1984 and 1996. Bobby took home the win in 2000.

Fifty-four year old Terry Labonte was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers. He has 22 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins during his career. He also has 11 NASCAR Nationwide Cup Series wins. He is one of the most popular drivers on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuits. He became the sport’s “ironman” in 1996 by passing Richard Petty’s record of 513 consecutive races starts. His biggest earnings came in 1996 when he banked 4,030,648.

Forty-seven year old Bobby joined the JTG Daugherty Racing this season. He has won 21 NASCAR Spring Cup Series victories. He also has ten NASCAR Nationwide Series wins to his name and one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win. His wins have definitely increased his bank account. In 1991 his earnings totaled 8,350. Compare this with his 2010 earnings of 3,094,148 and his highest year earnings of 5,505,018 in 2003.

Most likely it is still too early to make the determination of who is the better driver; after all, the brothers still have some strong racing years in front of them.

Terry’s Years Racing for Billy Hagans

admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Billy Hagan, a NASCAR driver/owner from Lillie, Louisiana, died a few years ago on the fifty-first birthday of one of his prized drivers, Terry Labonte. The two had spent many years together on the NASCAR circuit. It all started in 1978 when Labonte replaced Skip Manning. He remained with Hagan until 1986. Five years later he returned to the Hagan team but with little success. During his years with Hagan, Labonte became the youngest champion, of his era. He was 27 years old and was driving the 44 Piedmont Airlines Chevy for Hagan. The following year, in 1985, Labonte won the Busch Clash.

Hagan and Labonte met while Labonte was racing in Houston and San Antonio between 1975 and 1977. During this time Hagan was a successful business man who had a Winston racing team. He was impressed with Labonte’s skills and offered him a job of working at least five races during his first year. Labonte’s first race was at Darlington Raceway. He made Hagan proud by placing in fourth position. He went on to win two top ten finishes during that season. The following year he competed for “Rookie of the Year.” Although he did not win he was one of three rookies to finish in the top ten in points. In 1980, with Hagan by his side, he won his first career Winston Cup race.

Hagan and Labonte were not only strong business partners they were also good friends.

National Quarter Midget Hall of Famer Terry Labonte

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Terry Labonte, 54, is now a semi retired NASCAR driver. He currently owns a Chevrolet Car Dealership in North Carolina. Labonte was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. Terry Labonte started racing quarter-midgets when he was a young child growing up in Texas. He started to excel in the sport at the age of seven. By the age of nine, Terry won a National Championship Title. He moved on to racing at local short tracks in a stock car, through his teenage years. During those years Labonte raced on both dirt and asphalt tracks. Terry Labonte accumulated several track champion titles in and around his native Texas from 1975 to 1977. Labonte started racing in NASCAR competitions in 1978 at Darlington Raceway. Terry won his first title in 1985, it was the Miller 400 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Terry was named the NASCAR Winston Cup Champion in 1984. His next very impressive achievement was awarded in 1996. Terry Labonte was awarded the NASCAR Winston Cup Champion again in 1996. Labonte was also awarded the IROC Champion in 1989. In 1998 Labonte was named one of the drivers in the NASCARS 50 Greatest Drivers. A parked was named for the Labonte Brothers in 2001.

Two of a Kind: The Labonte Brothers Driving Style

admin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Terry and Bobby Labonte truly are NASCAR legends. Any true fan can easily rattle off statistics regarding their multiple wins, the ups and downs of their careers, and sometimes surprising finishes. The brothers have collectively been in the sport since 1978, with Terry beginning his career at Darlington Raceway and Bobby following in 1982 at Martinsville. They are the only brothers to have won the NASCAR championship; Terry in 1984 and Bobby in 2000.

In a sport that’s been ever increasing in popularity since the brothers began over thirty years ago, how have these brothers managed to stay prevalent? Many would say it’s their racing style.The whole story can be found at http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2011/9/6/2407830/nascar-atlanta-update-kyle-busch-leads-competition-caution-2011 Both brothers are known for a calm, cool, professional demeanor on and off the track. They value the importance of cohesiveness within their team, their crew, and their car. While many drivers, especially in the beginning of their careers, seem to drive as hard and rough as they can, trying to win at all costs, the Labontes’ are known to be cool under pressure. They may seem to be a non-factor throughout a race only to aggressively strike at the end, surprising drivers and fans alike. This clean and level-headed approach to racing has kept them both consistently competitive throughout their illustrious careers.