Doran Drivers: Bobby Labonte

Birthdate: May 8, 1964
Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas
Residence: Trinity, N.C.
Ht./Wt.: 5-9/155
Spouse: Donna
Children: Robert Tyler (4/18/94), Madison Elizabeth (1/15/98)
Web Site: www.bobbylabonte.com

NEXTEL Cup Series Best Points Finish: 1st (2000)
Starts: 402 First Start: 6/2/91 (Dover)
Wins: 21 First Win: 5/28/95 (Charlotte)
Bud Poles: 26 First Bud Pole: 9/9/93 (Richmond)

Busch Series Best Points Finish: 1st (1991)
Starts: 164 First Start: 10/25/82 (Martinsville)
Wins: 9 First Win: 4/13/91 (Bristol)
Busch Poles: 11 First Busch Pole: 4/6/90 (Bristol)

Craftsman Truck Series Best Points Finish: N/A
Starts: 3 First Start: 10/26/96 (Phoenix)
Wins: 0 Best Finish: 3rd 10/23/04 (Martinsville)
Poles: 0 Best Start: 5th 11/19/04 (Homestead)

Career Highlights
·2000 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Champion.
·2000 Brickyard 400 Winner.
·2001 IROC Champion.
·1991 NASCAR Busch Series Champion.
·Only driver to win NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series titles.
·Bobby and Terry Labonte are the only brothers to win NEXTEL Cup Series titles. (Bobby, 2000; Terry, 1984, 1996)
·The Labonte brothers, along with Al and Bobby Unser, are the only sets of brothers to win IROC titles.

CAREER:

2005: Doing selected Grand American races under the Doran Labonte Racing banner; finished ninth overall and in the DP class at the Rolex 24 at Daytona Feb. 5-6 with teammates Jan Magnussen, Terry Labonte and Bryan Herta in the DORAN JE4 Pontiac No. 44. Finished 15th in DP and overall in Paul Revere race at Daytona with co-driver
Terry Labonte, who qualified 11th. Finished 14th on Watkins Glen's short course in August with co-driver Terry Labonte, who qualified 13th.

2004
·Finished 12th in NEXTEL Cup Series point standings in tenth season with Joe Gibbs Racing. Failed to score a victory for the first time since 1994, ending a nine-year streak. Michael McSwain served as crew chief for the first 18 races before being replaced by Brandon Thomas.
·Earned Bud Pole at Texas, marking the ninth time in the last 10 years he has won at least one Bud Pole.
·Scored five top-five and 11 top-10 finishes including second-place finishes in the spring at Darlington and Martinsville.
·Started 13th and finished 11th in Daytona 500, his best finish since 2000 when he finished sixth.
·Competed in three Busch Series races, his first since the 1999 season. Finished ninth at Texas driving for Richard Childress Racing as part of the ESGR program. Competed at California 2 and Charlotte 2 driving the Banquet Foods Chevrolet for Joe Gibbs Racing. Finished seventh and 14th, respectively.
·Drove in two Craftsman Truck Series events for Morgan-Dollar Motorsports as part of Chevy’s All-Star Program, his first Truck Series events since Phoenix in 1996. Finished third at Martinsville 2 and started fifth and finished 29th at Miami after engine problems ended his day after 87 of 134 laps.

2003
·Scored two wins en route to eighth-place finish in points. Season marked the first that Labonte and Crew Chief Michael McSwain worked together. Team switched to Chevrolet after using Pontiac cars since 1997.
·Victories came at first Atlanta race and season-finale at Homestead. Took lead at Homestead on final lap when leader Bill Elliott’s car cut a tire exiting Turn 2.
·Won four Bud Poles (Las Vegas, Texas and both Michigan races).
·Finished in the top five 12 times and the top 10 17 times. Led 497 laps.
·Started 22nd and finished 41st in the Daytona 500 after being involved in an accident on Lap 57. Completed 81 of the 109 laps in the rain-shortened event.
·Announced in June he would remain with Joe Gibbs Racing through 2008 season.

2002
·Finished 16th in points, his first finish outside of the top 10 since 1996.
·Scored only win of the season at spring Martinsville race.
·Failed to win a Bud Pole for the first time since 1994.
·Earned five top-five finishes and eight top-10 finishes.
·Started 10th and finished 34th in the Daytona 500, completing only 153 of the 200 laps after being involved in a 16-car accident.
·Finished fifth in IROC points.

2001
·Finished sixth in points scoring wins at second Pocono race and second Atlanta race.
·Started 39th en route to a victory at Atlanta, the furthest back any race winner has started in a NEXTEL Cup race since the modern era began in 1972. Took lead on final lap when leader Jerry Nadeau ran out of fuel.
·Scored nine top-five and 20 top-10 finishes and won the Bud Pole at California.
·Struggled early in the season, finishing outside of the top-20 in four of the first seven races of the season. Was 25th in points after seven races.
·Finished 40th in Daytona 500 after starting 37th. Involved in a 19-car accident late in the race and completed 173 of the 200 laps.
·Won International Race of Champions series title, scoring wins at Talladega and Indianapolis. Victory at Indianapolis, coupled with 2000 Brickyard 400 victory, made him the first driver to win in two major series at Indy.

2000
·Won NEXTEL Cup Championship on the strength of four wins and, along with brother Terry (1984 and 1996 champion), became the first brothers to win NEXTEL Cup championships.
·Scored wins at first Rockingham race, second Charlotte race and second Darlington race. Also won prestigious Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
·Victory at Darlington came in dramatic fashion after Labonte won race off pit road just before rain forced the race to end after 328 of the 367 laps. Labonte did not lead a green flag lap and won the race in a back-up car after the primary car was involved in an accident during the Friday practice session.
·Took points lead after third race of the season at Las Vegas. Fell to second after he finished 21st in April race at Talladega. Finished second in next race at California to regain points lead for remainder of season.
·Scored 15 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes and finished outside of the top-20 only twice.
·Won two Bud Poles (Michigan 1 and New Hampshire 2).
·Failed to complete only nine of 10,167 laps and earned a career-best $7,361,386.
·Started 13th and finished sixth in Daytona 500.
·Finished fourth in IROC points, scoring win at Talladega.

1999
·Finished second in points and won a career-best five races, sweeping both races at Pocono and winning first Dover race, second Michigan race and season-finale at Atlanta.
·Scored 23 top-five finishes and 26 top-10 finishes, includes 10 consecutive top-10 finishes to close out the season.
·Won career-best five Bud Poles (Atlanta 1, Dover 1, Las Vegas and both Charlotte races). Also won pole for NEXTEL All-Star Challenge at Charlotte.
·Started third and finished 25th in Daytona 500.
·Finished third in IROC points after finishing second in season-opening Daytona event.
·Competed in one Busch Race at Las Vegas for Joe Gibbs Racing. Started 35th and finished 16th.
·Suffered broken shoulder blade in a crash during Busch Series practice in March at Darlington, but did not miss a NEXTEL Cup start. Did not compete in Darlington Busch race or any other Busch races for remainder of year.

1998
·Scored win at Talladega 1 after starting on the pole and also won spring Atlanta race en route to a sixth-place finish in points.
·Won Bud Pole for Daytona 500 and finished second behind winner Dale Earnhardt.
·Had 11 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes.
·Scored one win, in March at Darlington, in eight Busch Series for Joe Gibbs Racing.

1997
·Won season-ending race at Atlanta for the second consecutive year and finished seventh in points.
·Had nine top-five and 18 top-10 finishes and won Bud Poles at Dover 1, Darlington 2 and Rockingham 2.
·Started 15th and finished 21st in Daytona 500.
·Team used Pontiac cars after being with Chevrolet in previous seasons.
·Started 16 Busch Series races for Bobby Labonte Racing and scored one win, in May, at Dover.
·Made IROC debut June 21 at California Speedway as a substitute for the injured Robby Gordon. Labonte started 10th and finished second behind Mark Martin. Labonte led laps 23-47 before Martin gained the lead for the final three laps of the 50-lap event.

1996
·Won season-finale at Atlanta on the same day his brother, Terry, clinched his second NEXTEL Cup Championship.
·Finished 11th in points and had five top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.
·Earned Bud Poles at Atlanta 2, Charlotte 2, Dover 2, and Phoenix.
·Started 35th and finished 17th in Daytona 500.
·Competed in first career Craftsman Truck Series event Oct. 26 at Phoenix International Raceway. Started 24th and finished 34th in the No. 77 Rotary Lift Chevrolet after completing only 31 of the 186 laps after a valve problem ended his day.
·Competed in 16 Busch Series events for Bobby Labonte Racing and scored one win, in March, at Nashville Speedway USA. (Not the current Nashville Superspeedway). Finished in the top-five eight times (50 percent).

1995
·Finished 10th in points in first season with Joe Gibbs Racing.
·Scored first career win at Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte in May. Also won both Michigan races.
·Earned seven top-five and 14 top-10 finishes and won Bud Poles at Michigan 1 and Martinsville 1.
·Finished 30th after starting 20th in Daytona 500.
·Did not compete in any Busch Series events.

1994
·Competed in second NEXTEL Cup Series season for Bill Davis Racing and finished 19th in points.
·Earned one top-five and two top-10 finishes.
·Finished 16th after starting 42nd in Daytona 500.
·Competed in 12 Busch Series events for Bobby Labonte Racing and scored one victory, in August, at Michigan.
·David Green, driving for Labonte’s Busch Series team, won the Busch Series championship on the strength of one win and 10 top-five finishes. Also won nine Busch Poles.

1993
·Finished 19th in points in rookie season of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competition driving for Bill Davis Racing. ·Finished second in Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings to Jeff Gordon.
·Earned one top-five and two top-10 finishes.
·Won first career NEXTEL Cup Bud Pole in September at Richmond.
·Started 25th and finished 20th in his first Daytona 500.
·Competed in two Busch Series races for Bobby Labonte Racing. Started third and finished second at spring Martinsville race. Won Busch Pole in November at Hickory Motor Speedway, but finished 24th after engine problems ended his day after 188 of the 300 laps were completed.
·David Green took over as full-time driver for Labonte’s Busch Series team. Green scored six top-five finishes en route to a third-place finish in points.

1992
·Finished second in NASCAR Busch Series standings to Joe Nemechek, losing by just three points, the closest margin in NEXTEL Cup, Busch Series or Craftsman Truck Series history.
·Won three Busch Series races driving for Bobby Labonte Racing (Lanier Raceway, Martinsville, Hickory Motor Speedway)
·Did not make a NEXTEL Cup start.

1991
·Captured NASCAR Busch Series championship for Bobby Labonte Racing on the strength of two wins, 10 top-five and 21 top-10 finishes.
·Scored first career Busch Series victory on April 13 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Also won at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
·Competed in two NEXTEL Cup Series races in cars he owned. Started 33rd and finished 34th in NEXTEL Cup debut at Dover. Completed only 88 of 500 laps due to engine problems. Finished 38th after starting 40th at second Michigan race and completed only 40 of 200 laps again due to engine problems.

1990
·Competed in first full season of NASCAR Busch Series for Bobby Labonte Racing and finished fourth in points.
·Scored six top-five and 17 top-10 finishes. Won first career Busch Pole in April at Bristol. Also won Busch pole for fall Bristol race.
·Voted Busch Series “Most Popular Driver.”

1989
·Drove in seven Busch Series races for Bobby Labonte Racing. Scored first career top-five finish in Busch Series competition with fourth-place finish in the spring at Rockingham. Finished seventh at Darlington (fall) and sixth at Charlotte (fall).
·Also competed in late-model sportsman races Concord Motorsports Park in Concord, N.C .

1988
·Participated in six NASCAR Busch Series races for Bobby Labonte Racing. Best finish was 16th in the fall at Darlington.
·Won six of 22 late-model sportsman races at Concord Motorsports Park in Concord, N.C.

1987
·Captured late-model stock-car championship at Caraway Speedway in Ashboro, N.C. Won 12 of 23 races and finished in the top five in 20 races. Also won seven poles.
·Worked for Jay Hedgecock Racing.

1986
·Competed in a limited number of races in various divisions.
·Car owned and built by Bobby, and driven by brother Terry, won the pole and finished second in first Busch Series race at Road Atlanta.
·Left Hagan racing with his father, Bob, and brother, Terry, after Terry moved to Junior Johnson’s team. In four years at Hagan, Bobby worked under crew chiefs Jake Elder, Dale Inman and Steve Hmiel.

1985
·Drove in two NASCAR Busch Series races, both at Martinsville, for Bobby Labonte Racing. Best finish was 17th in the fall.
·Competed in a limited number of races in various divisions.

1984
·Competed in a limited number of races in various divisions.
·In spare time began building a Busch Series car.
·Continued working at Billy Hagan Racing, while his brother, Terry, won his first NEXTEL Cup Championship driving for Hagan.

1983
·Competed in a limited number of races in various divisions.

1982
·Made NASCAR Busch Series debut at Martinsville, finishing 30th and earning $220.
·Competed in late-model stock cars in North Carolina.
·Graduated from Trinity High School in Trinity, N.C.
·Began working at Billy Hagan Racing as a mechanic and fabricator. Brother Terry, who drove for the team, finished third in NEXTEL Cup points.

1980-81
·Competed in a limited number of races in various divisions.

1979
·Moved from Texas to North Carolina with family after father, Bob, was hired to join brother, Terry, at Hagan Racing.

1978
·Began competing in go-karts.

1971-1977
·Competed quarter-midgets and scored numerous victories throughout the United States.

1970
·Won first national quarter-midget race.

1969
·Began competing in quarter-midgets

PERSONAL:
·He and brother, Terry, had a park named in their honor in 2001 in their hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas.
·In 2004, initiated the building of the North Carolina Quarter-Midget Association Speedway in Rowan County, N.C.
·Racing heroes while growing up included, A.J. Foyt, Richard Petty and brother, Terry.

LABONTE VICTORIES AT TRACKS:
Track NEXTEL Cup Wins Busch Series Wins IROC Wins
Atlanta Motor Speedway 6 0 N/A
Bristol Motor Speedway 0 1 N/A
Charlotte Motor Speedway 2 0 N/A
Darlington Raceway 1 1 N/A
Dover International Speedway 1 1 N/A
Hickory Motor Speedway N/A 1 N/A
Homestead-Miami Speedway 1 0 N/A
Indianapolis Motor Speedway 1 N/A 1
Indianapolis Raceway Park N/A 1 N/A
Lanier Raceway N/A 1 N/A
Martinsville Speedway 1 1 N/A
Michigan International Speedway 3 1 0
Nashville Speedway USA* N/A 1 N/A
North Carolina Speedway (Rockingham) 1 0 N/A
Pocono Raceway 3 N/A N/A
Talladega Superspeedway 1 0 2
*Not the current Nashville Superspeedway

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