What a fine tribute to a classy driver thank you Josh you are a true Bobby Labonte fan!

Nice article Josh! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Thanks for your comments about my article!

Bobby & Terry both are great examples of true class. I’m proud to say that they came from my home town of Corpus Christi, Texas. Your comments are right on the money. Although I’m a die hard fan of the BLUE OVAL, I still pull for Terry & Bobby.

From one Bobby Labonte fan to anther thank you for the great article! Bobby is my guy thru good AND bad times.

There are so many parallels between Terry’s and Bobby’s situations with their well-funded teams. Both cars (I refer to Terry in the #5) were the flagship cars of their teams until multi-team expansion took place. Both teams they drive/drove for fell into disarray after winning a championship and seemed to become less of a priority while other teams in their multi-car organizations seemed to only get stronger. Both are humorous, well-spoken and non-controversial but seem to be an afterthought (particularly in Terry’s case….he wasn’t even recognized for winning a championship in that ridiculous Quaker State commercial but, instead, we are shown Jimmie Johnson?) when the P.R. drones and the media attempt to personnify NASCAR. While infatuation with ‘youth’ with all its inherent behavioral volatility is dominating the psyche of the ‘powers that be’ surrounding NASCAR two of it’s best representatives seem to be at a continual disadvantage. Do you hear them whining about it? Not Likely!

I agreed with you Bobby Labonte is a great driver and class act. However there is no need to bring in Jeff Gordon into your tribute. Jeff and Bobby began thier full time careers at the same time in 1993. The 24 car was nothing absolutely nothing before Jeff took it over it had neve won. Jeff and a Rookie Crew Chief Ray Everham made the 24 what it is today. JGR has the same resources as Hendricks. The issue with Bobby has been since he/JGR fire fatback. People need to understand that each era brings its greatest driver – POST 1993 is Gordon period. With other great driver which Bobby is included.

It’s kind of hard to win in the new Hendrick/Roush racing league if you don’t drive one of their cars, period. Bobby is definitely one of the greatest drivers ever – you don’t win a championship otherwise, but he’s an even better person off the track.

Bobby as good as Jeff. Don’t make me laugh. Jeff won Rookie of the year in 1993 as well as his first 125 daytona race that year, the same year Bobby was a rookie. Jeff has 70 some wins to Bobby’s 30 some wins. Jeff has 4 championships to Bobby’s 1 championship. LaBonte is a great driver but Gordon is the best of this era like Petty was the best of his era and Earnhardt Sr was the best of his.

Thanks for the article, we don’t often see too many about Bobby. He’s my driver thru thick and thin.

Bobby is a good guy, but your arguments are not persuasive at all. For example, you say nothing about actual results, instead you make excuses for having inferior equipment. Evidentally, he’s good because you like him.

He is a former champ and a great racer. Your writing, on the other hand, isn’t so great.

Respectfully,

Me

Great article on Bobby, Josh keep up with that writing you never know where it might lead you :)

Quote: “If you enjoy a driver with class you would enjoy rooting for Bobby or Terry Labonte.”

So true, Joshua! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article and look forward to reading more from you. Keep up the great work.

Bobby is a great driver and I hate to see this bad luck he is having. The problem is that his equipment up to last year has not been inferior. He did beat the greatest driver ever in 2000 for the championship. There are alot of incorrect comments though. First of all to correct Danny Young, Bobby has 21 or 22 wins in the same amount of years it took J Gordon to win 70+ races. Bobby and Jeff Burton are the ones who should be compared. They won races one for one through the late 90’s. One of the most interesting things to remember is that Bobby was slated for the ride the Jeff Gordon is in. Jeff was under contract by Bill Davis. When Hendrick stole him Bobby got the maxwell house 22 ride that Jeff Gordon was supposed to get. The part to talk about now is, would Bobby have got the 70+ wins and 4 cups in the 24 and would Jeff have got them in the Davis ride? I think it would have been neutralized. Both in the caliber of performance of say Dale Jarret or Mark Martin or even Rusty wallace. Face the fact too the without Hendrick Johnson and Gordon are still great but not over the top like they are now. Go Bobby.

Great article, Josh!!! You are insightful, and share your opinions well…keep them coming!!