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NASCAR WCUP: Labonte Brothers Return to Texas

17 March 1999

FORT WORTH-DALLAS - Brothers Terry and Bobby Labonte will return to their home state of Texas to battle against each other in not just one race - but two. The brothers will compete in both the March 27 Coca-Cola 300 NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division race and the March 28 PRIMESTAR 500 Winston Cup Series race.

As car owner, Terry will drive the No.44 Slim Jim Meat Snacks Chevrolet in the Coca-Cola 300. In 1999, driver duties will be shared by Terry, Bobby, and Terrys son, Justin. In the PRIMESTAR 500, Terry will field the No.5 Kelloggs Corn Flakes Chevrolet.

Bobby is scheduled to run 12 events in Joe Gibbs No.18 MBNA Pontiac in the 1999 Busch Series, including the Coca-Cola 300. J.D. Gibbs, son of the former Washington Redskins coach, will run the remaining 19 events in the car. Bobby will drive the No.18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac in the PRIMESTAR 500 .

Last week, Terry visited Texas Motor Speedway for two days of testing in his Winston Cup ride and earlier this week Bobby spent two days at the 1.5-mile superspeedway in the Busch car in anticipation of the upcoming Busch Series race.

"I think we will see some great racing this year at Texas," said Bobby. "With the changes made to the speedway last year, in essence, its new all over again this year. Right now, the track is a one-groove track but with the changes to the banking, its definitely going to be faster The asphalt is new so a lot of the way the cars run will depend on how the tires lay down rubber."

The Labontes are the only brothers to win championships in two major NASCAR series. Bobby was the 1991 Busch Series titlist and older brother Terry claimed the NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship in 1984 and again in 1996. This year, Bobby is pushing for his first Winston Cup championship.

"We went up to sixth in the points in 1998 and thats a step," said Bobby. "I feel like the next step, up to a championship contender, is going to be harder and will be a bigger step."

Tickets are still available for the Coca-Cola 300 and the PRIMESTAR 500. Call the ticket hotline at (817) 215-8500 .