| NAME: | Terry Lee Labonte |
| BIRTHDATE: | November 16, 1956 |
| HOMETOWN: | Corpus Christi, TX |
| RESIDENCE: | N/A |
| HEIGHT: | 5'10" |
| WEIGHT: | 165 Lbs |
| MARITAL STATUS: | married/ wife Kim |
| KIDS: | 2/ Justin & Kristen |
| HOBBIES: | hunting |
| CHAMPION YEARS: | 1984, 1996 |
Terry was born to parents Bob and Martha Labonte on November 16, 1956 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Now at the time Texas was famous for it's production of Quarterbacks, and is now known for it's NASCAR drivers.
At the age of seven, Terry got started in Quartermidgets much like a few other of todays big Cup stars.
Quartermidgets of America is a club much like the Karting Association. However, the cars are different. Quartermidgets have fiberglass bodies, roll cages and are really midget-like vehicles.
These are very popular in the west, like go-karts are in the eastm but more expensive. Now with the support and encouragement of his father - Terry got a racers education from age 7 to the age of 16.
Terry wanted to follow in fellow Texans footsteps such as AJ Foyt and Johnny Rutherford when he was sixteen. After winning regional and national championships, he was ready to move up to the next level. He wanted to race full size midgets, but there were no races around - and going to Indiana was just to far.
His first stockcar ride was a home built 1957 Chevy, and he picked up winning right where he left off at CC Speedway in Corpus Christi. It was a paved quarter-mile track and in a couple of years he has won his class at the speedway, and according to rules - he had to move up to Late Models.
By 1976, at the age of 19, he was running both dirt and pavement tracks - using the same car. He would change tires, springs, shocks and gears getting ready to go to the asphalt from the dirt.
After he mastered all the tracks in his hometown, he began traveling to other cities in search for competition. There was a new track in San Antonion. So he begane racing in San Antonio and Houston, both of which were 150 to 200 miles from Corpus Christi.
Finally, his first break had come. Ed Hamlin, promoter in Houston, boosted Terry's career. He had introduced him to Billy Hagen, an oil driller who was also involved in stock car racing. An introduction followed by a racing relationship that lasted into the mid 1980's had begun.
In 1976 and 1977, he backed Terry's efforts. Finally at the end of 1977, he asked Terry to move to North Carolina and run five races in 1978, and go to all the races with Hagens regular driver.
So in 1977, he drove a 1974 Chevrolet pick up with a uhaul and moved out to North Carolina.
Terry said, "I didn't have much. My mother made me take all my trophies, clothes, tv and stereo. I had $1500 in cash. That was all."
At the age of 21, Terry Labonte made his first start at Darlington and finished a solid 4th. Other drivers that started out were young drivers such as Dale Earnhardt, and Ricky Rudd.
Texas Terry ran the full 31 race schedule and finished tenth in points in 1979. That started his run of consecutive races. He battled Dale Earnhardt, Harry Gant and joe Millikan for rookie honors, course Earnhardt won that year.
His first race was the Winston Western 500 at Riverside California, driving the #44 Stratagraph Chevrolet. He started 25th and finished in 35th. Completing 7 of the 119 laps due to engine failure, he was the first car out and won $1000 dollars.
Terry's first victory had come on September 1, 1980 in the Southern 500 in Darlington, his 59th start. He started 10th beating David Pearson, Harry Gant, Benny Parsons and the late Neil Bonnett for the win.
Labonte's first pole of his career came on March 15, 1981 in Atlanta on his 72nd start. He finished 19th that day.
Come 1984, Terry became the youngest modern era Champion at the age of 27, driving the #44 Piedmont Airlines Chevy - owned by Billy Hagen. He edged out Harry Gant by a mere 65 points.
In 1985, Terry went on to win the Busch Clash. He drove for Junior Johnson in 1987. In 1989 he won the IROC Championship.
Unfortunately from 1990 to 1994, they were lean years with no wins. In 1991, he returned to Billy Hagen's team. Finally the drought ended.
Come in 1994, Terry began driving for Rick Hendrick. On September 24, 1995 - he became the fifth ever 10 million dollar man, joined by the late Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott, Darrell Waltrip and Rusty Wallace in that elit group.
On April 21, 1996 - he tied Richard Petty's record of 513 consecutive starts, breaking it the following week with no end in sight.
Also in 1996, Terry won his second Cup Championship. To include as well he had won the 12 hours of Sebring, and the 24 hours of Daytona. He is 1 of only 3 drivers to have won in all three Series - Cup, Busch and Truck.
Terry is a great guy, awesome driver and wonderful family man. He has proven to people that he can otherwise do the job and return back to Victory Lane. In 2003, Terry won the last Southern 500 held in Darlington. A special moment for him and nearly everyone was happy that it was him whom won it.
Texas Terry has a lot of spunk let in him. We will surely see him in Victory Lane a few more times not to mention being a contender for the Cup Championship. And with Team mates of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and now Brian Vickers, he will have plenty of help to grab the checkered flag. As well as helping them.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1984
| Winston Cup Champion |
1985
| Busch Clash Winner |
1989
| IROC Champion |
1990
| winner 400k in Melbourne, Australia |
1996
| Winston Cup Champion |
| broke Richard Petty's record for most consecutive starts. |
| Over 600 consecutive starts |
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