NASCAR: Terry Labonte Wins the First Union 400 at Wilkesboro

04/15/96

On Sunday Terry Labonte won his first race of 1996, claimed his 17th career Winston Cup victory, and tied Richard Petty's record for running in the most consecutive races. Additionally, his win from the pole won him $129,200--the Unocal Bonus--on top of the purse he claimed for the race.

Labonte's victory was not easily won, though. He beat Jeff Gordon in a nose-to-tail fight that lasted for the last 10 laps of the race. Labonte and Gordon were followed by Earnhardt in third, Robert Pressley in fourth, and Sterling Marlin in fifth.

The race's results has Earnhardt nearly catching up to Dale Jarret in the Winston Cup point standings. Preliminary standings show Jarret out front with 1,063, Earnhardt second with 1,061, Labonte in third with 1,004 and Ricky Rudd fourth with 973.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel