1 of 3

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

the race, and Terry Labonte wrapped up the championship.

In 1997, Labonte posted an amazing 20 top ten finishes, and won at the Talledega Superspeedway. Over the next two years, Labonte won three more times. Unfortunately in 2000, Labonte's consecutive streak, at 655 races, was broken when he missed two races due to an ear injury he suffered during a previous race.

Labonte's final win was in 2003 at the same track he had won his first race at 23 years earlier. He announced 2004 would be his last full time season, although he still drove part time in the following years.

He has stepped in for Hendricks Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and helped start the Hall of Fame Racing team during their first year in NASCAR racing, Michael Waltrip Racing. But the most interesting fill in job was during the summer of 2008, where he stepped in for 6 races to relieve Kyle Petty in the #45. This is interesting because brother Bobby drives the #43 Petty Racing Machine. During this time Labonte brought the #45 engine home to its best finishes of the season.

He also has been the champion during the 24 Hours of Daytona, the champion of the 12 Hours of Sebring, won three all-star races, the Pole Shootout, two All-Star Challenges, and won a IROC championship. However, his most respectable statistic is his 17 top ten championship finishes, and the act that 25% of the time he finished in the top 5 and 50% of the time he finished in the top 10 in all of his races.

Labonte still drives on a limited basis, but he has mostly retired to the Thomasville area in North Carolina. He lives with his wife Kim, whom he married in May 1978 after meeting at a local car dealership they both worked at during high school. He has two children, Justin Labonte -born 1981- who occasionally drives in the Nationwide series with a win to his credit; and Kristy Labonte -born 1983- who pursed a business degree at High Point University. During his off time, Labonte is an avid fisher and hunter.

Known for his consistency, Labonte was also known for his coolness under pressure. Perhaps that is the reason he was affectionately nicknamed "The IceMan". NASCAR is all the better for the poise and control of the consistent Terry Labonte.

Learn more about this author, Meg A Wright.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about NASCAR biographies: Terry Labonte?
We want to hear your view. Write now!