Labonte Named One of NASCAR’s 10 Best

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2003) – Terry Labonte, celebrating his 10th year with Hendrick Motorsports, was recently ranked as one of NASCAR’s 10 top drivers of all-time in a list released by the sanctioning body as a prelude to the 45th running of the Daytona 500. NASCAR’s All-Time Top 10 is based on career top-10 finishes in the final series point standings dating to the sport’s first season in 1948. With 16 finishes of 10th or better since he debuted in the series in 1978, Labonte is tied for sixth place on the elite list. He shares that position with Rusty Wallace. Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt top the rankings with 25 and 20 appearances in the top 10, respectively. Ricky Rudd is third, with Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison tied for fourth. Bill Elliott, Mark Martin and Lee Petty round out the top 10. “It’s always great to be included in a group like that -- with Richard (Petty), Dale (Earnhardt) and the others,” said Labonte, driver of the No. 5 Kellogg`s / got milk? Chevrolet in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. “Sixteen years in the top 10 is just the type of consistency we’re hoping to find again with our race team. “It’s been a few years since we’ve been up there and I’m hungry to get back this season.” Labonte’s last appearance in the top 10 was 1998, when he finished ninth behind champion Dale Jarrett. Thus far in Speed Weeks 2003, Labonte has finished 14th in the Budweiser Shootout, qualified 19th for Thursday’s Gatorade 125 and earned a spot in his 25th Daytona 500.