Labonte Gearing Up for ‘Victory Lap’

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Aug. 28, 2003) – As NASCAR’s “Victory Lap” tribute to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco continues this weekend at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, Terry Labonte and the Kellogg’s / got milk? Racing team are preparing for their part of the celebration, which is scheduled to take place next month. Labonte, a two-time champion, and Bobby Allison, who won the Winston Cup Series title in 1983, will be paired up to drive specially designed cars in a pre-race parade lap prior to the EA Sports 500 on Sept. 28 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. The Chevrolet that Labonte will drive in the actual race will be emblazoned with the “Victory Lap” logo, commissioned earlier this month to honor Winston’s 33-year sponsorship of the series. It will mark the fifth race this season in which Labonte’s No. 5 Monte Carlo will carry a special paint scheme -- the others being at Bristol, Tenn.; Richmond, Va.; Dover, Del.; and Joliet, Ill. Between the two of them, Labonte and Allison have six career victories at Talladega. In addition to his two wins, Labonte has finished second three times, with two of those runner-up finishes to Allison’s late son Davey (in 1987 and 1989). The program, which honors drivers who won championships during Winston’s sponsorship of the series, began Aug. 23 with Rusty Wallace and the late Alan Kulwicki being honored at Bristol. The remaining races in the promotion will honor: Cale Yarborough, Darlington, S.C., Aug. 31 Terry Labonte & Bobby Allison, Talladega, Ala., Sept. 28 Dale Earnhardt & Jeff Gordon, Concord, N.C., Oct. 11 Darrell Waltrip, Martinsville, Va., Oct. 19 Bill Elliott, Atlanta, Oct. 26 Dale Jarrett, Phoenix, Nov. 2 Bobby Labonte & Benny Parsons, Rockingham, N.C., Nov. 9 Richard Petty & Tony Stewart, Homestead, Fla., Nov. 16