Texas Terry Steps Down
Sunday, December 3rd, 2006 3:23pm CST
By Tim Spencer, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
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Texas Native, Terry Labonte, at the age of 21 had his first career start for Bill[thumb:239:r:s=1:l=x]Hagan in a race that saw him post a resulting in a fourth place finish at the famed Darlington Raceway. Terry went on to run another four races in 1978 and then moved to a full schedule in 1979.
Terry participated in one of the toughest Rookie of the Year classes. Labonte competed against the likes of Bill Elliot, Harry Gant and Dale Earnhardt for the Rookie of the Year.
Labonte’s first of 22 wins came at the same track he started at, Darlington. His first win came in the later part of the 1980 season. Labonte went on to rack up two championships. His first campionship came four years later in the Peidmont Airlines sponsored chevrolet. Some twelve years later Labonte was in another close championship battle with teammate Jeff Gordon out of the Hendrick stables. Labonte was able to hold off the youngster and put his second and final championship in the books.
Labonte’s other accomplishments consist of the 1989 IROC title, and his “Iron Man” streak of 655 consecutive starts. On top of Labonte’s 22 wins, he also stacked up 182 top fives, and 361 top tens. Labonte also landed a seat on the stage 17 times during his career by finishing in the top ten in points.
Terry had a wonderful career and it was a great ride for him. Even though Terry is leaving the driver seat he will still be seen around the garage area as his son Jason comes up through the ranks.
Filed Under: Features, Nascar, Nascar History, Nextel Cup, The People Of Nascar, Tim Spencer
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and watch out for Jason Texas Terry will be missed thanks for that one Tim
Frank said this on December 3rd, 2006 at 5:25 pm