Texas is Home Sweet Home for Labonte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 26, 2003) – As the NASCAR Winston Cup Series rolls into the southwestern United States, Terry Labonte slips into Texas Motor Speedway like most of us slip into a comfortable pair of shoes. You can almost hear the “Ahh ” as the Corpus Christi, Texas, native exhales and surveys his chances for continued success on the 1.5-mile oval behind the wheel of the No. 5 Kellogg`s / got milk? Chevrolet. In just six years of competition at TMS, Labonte already has assembled an enviable record that includes his 21st career victory in 1999 and a pole position in 2000. Other notable accomplishments include: 2,004 laps completed. Labonte is the only driver who has finished every lap of every race. 231 laps led. A total topped only by Dale Jarrett (406). Five top-10 finishes, more than any other driver. Labonte’s average finish at TMS is seventh. 144.275 mph. Labonte’s winning average speed in 1999 is a track record. $376,840. His payout for winning in 1999 is the best single-race total of his career. “I love the track and I love the fans in Texas,” Labonte said. “We tested down there recently and were happy with the results. We’re taking the same car this year that we finished 10th last season, so maybe we can get all of those Terry Labonte fans back up on their feet Sunday afternoon.” LABONTE ON MARCH MADNESS The third installment of Terry Labonte’s 2003 NASCAR diary was posted the week of March 17 on ESPN’s RPM site. The two-time Winston Cup champion selected the eight teams he thought would reach the regional finals of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Entering this weekend’s competition, five of those teams still are alive -- Kansas, Kentucky, Marquette, Maryland and -- of course -- the Texas Longhorns. View it at rpm.espn.com under the “Driver Diaries” link.