NASCAR legends Bobby Labonte and Terry Labonte introduced on Tuesday their father, Bob Labonte, has died. Bobby Labonte shared the information on X (previously generally known as Twitter).
“This week, Terry and I misplaced our Dad,” Bobby wrote. “To a lot of you who knew him across the storage, you recognize he was bigger than life. To us he was our Dad and likewise a crew chief, a mentor, our largest fan, our motivation at occasions, and our hero. He and our Mother devoted their lives to our racing careers and to our household. We’re deeply saddened by the lack of our Dad, though we all know he’s in a much better place. We thank everybody for his or her help throughout this tough time.”
Bob was born in 1933 and moved his household to the Carolinas from Texas so his two sons, Bobby and Terry, might pursue NASCAR careers, in keeping with Fox 8 Information. He was a two-time automotive proprietor champion and crew chief within the Busch Sequence, now referred to as the Xfinity sequence.
Richard Petty and NASCAR react to Bob Labonte’s dying
One other NASCAR legend, Richard Petty, went to social media to pay tribute to Bob Labonte. “Richard Petty and The Petty Household is deeply saddened by the lack of Bob Labonte,” the message learn. “He was instrumental in shaping the careers of his sons, Terry and Bobby, and his contributions to the game received’t be forgotten. The Labonte Household is in our ideas and prayers.”
NASCAR additionally reacted the information of the passing of Bob Labonte. “NASCAR extends its deepest condolences to the household and pals of Bob Labonte, the patriarch of the Labonte household,” it mentioned in an announcement, per Bob Pockrass. “Bob was a champion proprietor and crew chief whose steering helped lead sons Terry and Bobby into the NASCAR Corridor of Fame. He will probably be missed.”
Bobby Labonte, 59, is a member of the NASCAR Corridor of Fame and was named considered one of NASCAR’s 75 Biggest Drivers final yr. In his profession, Bobby received 21 Cup Sequence races and claimed a Cup Sequence title in 2000. Bobby by no means received the Daytona 500 however completed second in 1998. In March, Bobby returned to Joe Gibbs Racing as an envoy.
Terry Labonte, 67, can also be a member of the NASCAR Corridor of Fame and one of many league’s 75 finest drivers. He received 22 Cup Sequence races and claimed Cup Sequence titles in 1984 and 1996. And like Bobby, Terry by no means received the Daytona 500 however completed second 3 times in his profession.