Labonte, nicknamed “The Iceman” and “Ironman” for his cool-under-pressure attitude behind the wheel and his record of 655 consecutive Cup Series starts (which stood until Ricky Rudd broke the mark in 2002), was inducted by younger brother Bobby.
“I grew up as (Terry’s) little brother, and I’m always going to be his little brother. That’s pretty good. I like that,” said Bobby Labonte. “I’ve always looked up to him and he’s taught me so much, about life and racing.”
“With Terry … he’s about being courteous. He always went out, did his deal and just raced. I always admired that. He’s the original Iron Man in NASCAR and he taught me a lot about being tough, both on the track and off it. His passion, composure and willingness to help others is unmatched in my eyes. I’m honored to be here with him and proud to see him enter the Hall of Fame.”
‘Texas Terry’ earned two NASCAR Cup Series titles, one in 1984 for Billy Hagan and a second in 1996 for Hendrick Motorsports, setting a record for the longest span between championships in NASCAR history.
“That’s a record I’m really proud of,” said Terry Labonte during his acceptance speech.
The elder Labonte also racked up 22 wins, 27 poles and 361 top-10 finishes in his 890 career premier series starts. He won IROC championships in 1989 and 1993, as well as two Southern 500s at Darlington Raceway (1980, 2003) and two NASCAR All-Star Races at Charlotte Motor Speedway (1988, 1999).
Labonte was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2016.
“I moved to North Carolina in 1978 and I’ve lived here ever since. This is home,” Labonte said. “We still have a place in Texas that we go to quite a bit, but we love it here. This is really an honor for me to be inducted into the Hall of Fame here. It’s a special day.”
“Things like this are the icing on the cake; they’re not the things you expect to have happen and they’re not what you set out to achieve when you start doing something in life. I just went out to race hard and do the best I could at it. so it’s special to have that be recognized like this and to be able to be a part of something with people in our sport like (fellow inductees) Bobby (Alllison), Ned Jarrett … it’s a big moment for us.”
Elliott and Labonte’s Mooresville Walk of Fame markers were unveiled Tuesday afternoon as well, with family members helping to reveal the stone symbols placed in the sidewalk that draw thousands of racing enthusiasts to the town of Mooresville each year.
Other past N.C. Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductees include Bill France Sr., A.J. Foyt, Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Benny Parsons and Richard Childress.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 23-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: editor@racechaseronline.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
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