Dale Jr. Download: Bobby Labonte's Rise to NASCAR
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 มี.ค. 2021
- Bobby Labonte joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. on this week’s episode to dive deeper into the NASCAR Hall of Famers family history, successful career, and current racing endeavors.
Much of Labonte’s NASCAR career is well-publicized but Dale Jr. is curious about the path that led the Corpus Christi, Texas, native to rise from the shadow of his older brother Terry Labonte to assert himself as a NASCAR champion.
After the family moved to North Carolina to follow Terry as his career took off, Bobby began racing go-karts as a teenager. He tells stories about racing big events at tracks like Daytona and Rockingham. Plus, a story about racing in a late model against Dale Earnhardt.
Around the same time, Bobby began helping out his brother Terry’s team in the shop. He worked under “Suitcase” Jake Elder and even earned a nickname. Find out what his role was and why the name was so fitting.
To listen to the full podcast - visit DirtyMoMedia.com or any podcasting platform. - บันเทิง
I can say this about Bobby he's one of the nicest guys I've never met, my baby sister Tracy Hafey was a die hard fan of Bobby's she went to his autograph sessions etc, She had contracted a rare kind of brain tumor and was dying but she tried to make every last day count , we didn't know how long she had our family had never had to deal with something like this ! Before she lapsed into coma though ,Bobby called Tracy on Christmas morning it was the best thing for her Christmas, she was bed ridden by then ,she thought it was me playing with her on the phone ! But I thought of all times when most on Christmas mornings were with their families and opening gift's and just setting back taking in a deep breath and relaxing around their loved ones, Bobby gets up and calls my sister ! I think of him every Christmas now because she's gone now and his call made her feel so special so happy ,! It was her Last ! But who does that on Christmas morning ? Thank you Bobby for helping her during some of Tracy's hardest time's, She was so happy you called ! You really can't imagine how happy she was over your call ! Thank you so much again !
Sad to hear of your sister's passing. But what a great story.
The Labontes were two of the classiest brothers in NASCAR, the titles they won are well deserved.
Very true. Terry has the nickname "Iceman" for being so cool.
Beat me to saying it
@@jdtractorman7445 Actually he was the “IceMan “ because of his consistency to have good finishes and finish at the top ! But he was very cool as well !
@@tritontransport
Absolutely correct. Even though they are not racing, they are still the classiest brothers in NASCAR, if not in all forms of racing.
@@americanadventureoutdoors4213 I believe he was ice man also because of his streak of consecutive races started
Bobby was the king of Atlanta Motor Speedway for many years. I miss this generation of drivers.
Dale actually is but Bobby definitely in The Top 3/5 all-time best at Atlanta
I was there for 4 of his wins. So many great memories.
Bobby labonte was awesome. Glad to hear he's driving in the srx series
His great years with JGR racing during the peak Pontiac years that won him the title in 2000.
He recently did a couple years doing the NASCAR Whelen Euro series and was pretty consistent.
One of my all time favorite drivers, especially when he took over the #18 Interstate Batteries car 👊
I miss the days where all the drivers not only raced but knew how to to fix and build the cars also. They had more respect for the equipment and other drivers equipment
I'm sure some still do today but yah it seemed way more common not even that long ago. We know both the Busch brothers have and I've seen Newman work with the crew as well. Of course those guys are from that era too
@@packisbetter90 Newman actually has a vehicle engineering degree 👍 I think he’s close to retiring but he will be around nascar for a long time with a team or possibly even working for nascar
tritontransport - Totally. As a lifetime Wisconsin resident, i'm used to Dave Marcis and Dick Trickle building their own cars and doing most of the wrenching themselves before they got to cup. Probably why they got Marcis to set up all the IROC cars identical because he could tell the tiniest difference between cars. Even Dale Sr. said Dave had the best knowledge and feel for a race car.
Now days all we have is bunch of spoiled premadonna type young racers.
@@harolddenton6031 these days they are sales people and spokesman first and racing is their second job. If you can find a driver who can do both of those things well and can also tell the difference between a screw driver and a hammer you find a chase Elliot 🤷♂️. Thanks to The guidance from his father
Lol... y’all remember when he drove in that iRacing Pro Invitational? That was cool
Loved both of the brothers always raced hard never bad mouthed anybody both total class acts
Bobby was great in the interstate battery car with Jimmy Macar.
To me, that's how I will always remember Bobby Labonte!
Yeah. Pontiac rules!
Such a beautiful car
Bobby and I were both born on the same exact day (May 8, 1964) in the same state. I used to tell everybody he was my long-lost twin! He's had a bit more success in his career than I had in mine though...
Thats why he was one of my favorites back in the day was because we have the same name and birthday.
@@bobbymoore7874 he was my favorite for 6-7 years before I figured out we shared birthdays. That just made him even cooler in my eyes
Bobby..he used to come into my Office Depot in High point NC. Always a gentlemen. Always took a few moments to talk racing with me. Respect!
Bobby Labonte, my very First favourite driver, in the 18 Interstate Batteries.
What an awesome blast from my past.
Thanks
Bobby and Terry for me growing up weren't the one's to just demolish a season with wins, but they'd wear you out with some top 5's.
I was a huge Bobby fan growing up. I miss all those guys from the 90s in NASCAR. That was prime time nascar.
This Gordon fan also loved the Labonte bros. They were great racers and class acts.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU , THANK YOU! Been waiting a long time to see Bobby on your show. Loved seeing him bring Pontiac back to victory lane and win a Cup Championship in the green poncho.
Terry Labonte absolutely the best 'man', in NASCAR cup racing back then. Great Racer too. Terry respected everyone. He treated me exactly the same when I had a Corp racing budget/checkbook and when I was just another guy in racing. Mark Martin was a close second.
The Labonte Brothers 2 genuine people.
Always fond of Bobby and terry. As a labonte I grew up with their picture in my house even though we have no close relations if any. My dad is a huge fan and I’m a gen zr so love to look back at these guys!
Labonte Family is so awesome. Great People. Live close to Corpus Christi.
I grew up down here. My dad had a buddy that raced against Terry here in Corpus before they moved on.
@@atthebrink74 That's awesome. I raced in the Houston area at dirt tracks from 97 to 2001. Bomber and Street Stock. Loved ever minute of it.
My dad’s cousins went to school with Terry in Corpus. My dad might have run at CC Speedway with Terry, but not in the same class. He couldn’t ever remember racing against him directly.
I have a family friend who knew the Labonte brothers and they were best buddies at the short tracks across Texas and stuff...
I met Bobby on Halloween at TMS in 08 when he drove for Petty Enterprises when they were on their last legs but I didn't knew about that at the time... but I gave him a Cheerios car when at the time they had General Mills race cars that were in the cereal boxes when I was growing up and a Texas quarter that he said when he was going to race that November Sunday he putted the quarter in his racing boot...
I wonder if he still has them to this very day as a prized possession from me...
After that I wanted to go back to the Texas Spring race in 09 but I had first communion that weekend and I was disappointed but my dad went and gave me an autograph car from Hall of Fame racing in the 96 car signed by Bobby himself!
I wanted to race Legends cars growing up but back to November of 08 it was three months after my brother was born and my dad was diagnosed with MS and it would've been brutal to travel to and from the tracks each weekend of the year would've been impossible and having family members to help out would've been impossible to get them on board to help out...
But also my grades in school if I didn't make the grades I probably wouldn't raced... but also it about having the deepest pockets to get into the big leagues and fight to the top...
Never been so excited for a guest on this show. Bobby is the man!!
I met Bobby in the pits at Homesteading early 90s when it just opened and he was great to me and talked to me about all kinds of stuff it was great. He had know idea I worked for a nascar sticker company called Kar products a fastener supplier until I put on my company shirt and inquired if he needed any of our products. Great, kind individual. Glad to hear is still involved in racing as well as broadcast which he does a great job at also.
Me and my young son back in the day were Bobby Labante fans. He would be in the floor playing with his cars and look up at me and say where is Bobby Labobby running? That's what he called him.
Bobby's always been a class act. I rooted for him until he retired. Even when he ran the 87 I was always hopeful. Lol.
The Podcast is a must to get the whole story. Thanks for using that platform. Great story he's a must return !
Thanks for listening
@@DirtyMoMedia well I have been screwing up. I have enjoyed so many interviews here and today finally did the podcast. Wow I have been missing out! Awesome job.
@@DirtyMoMedia Alright JR. Where did that great T-Shirt you're sporting come from?
He is one of the Legends! One i was waiting for!
Marked my childhood in NASCAR 99
My husband & I started dating in early 2000, right around the start of the season. He was a HUGE NASCAR fan & I knew that, while it wasn’t really my “thing”, I really liked this guy & didn’t want to risk losing time together or opportunities to connect because of unshared hobbies. (Smartest thing I ever did, I had no clue then that it wasn’t just a Sunday thing!)
So, I’d go to his place on Sundays & watch the race with him. I had zero clue what or who anyone was, or what it was all about. Literally first time watching. So, I picked the car that I liked the most & chose him as my fave driver, so obviously the best driver ever, and I stuck with him. Husband said it was a great choice & we teased each other with funny rivalries, etc. That car was the 18 & Bobby took it all the way to the championship that year! It was a great way to bond over his interests & have a bit of my own investment in it. We’ve had so many amazing experiences going to races, meeting drivers, etc. Bobby Labonte helped build the foundation of my marriage, lmao! He’ll always be my #1 fave.
Bobby labonte has always been my favorite driver of all time. He always had a lot of class and I liked his style. Just a good guy app around!
Photo of Bobby and I racing enduro karts at Road Atlanta, but can’t get it to paste into comments. Fun days for sure. He raced as #44 back then.
I feel the greatest finish or victory lap in Nascar history is in 1996 when these brothers did that lap together. Hands down the best ever!
Absolutely! I waa am AMS that day. What a great memory.
Man you just keep thinking these cant get any better. The enthusiasm Jr has when talking to Bobby. A true ambassador to the sport.
I remember an interview or a story that was televised how a Children’s Wish Child wish was to spend the day with Bobby Labonte. After the day ended, he was so humbled by the experience he broke down. Sold me on Bobby from that moment. I was a Dale Jarrett fan, but Bobby was a close second.
Couldn’t have clicked faster when I saw Bobby. Not nearly the NASCAR fan anymore that I used to be 15 years ago but I remember the either Charlotte or Atlanta race, Jimmy Johnson passed Labonte on the final turn and won by inches. Bobby got out of his car, threw his shoes in the car and then kicked the side of his race car. I felt so bad for him that night I couldn’t freaking sleep!
Was a Labonte fan ever since. Just shame his career died off after he left the 18.
This might be the best podcast in the entire world.
Bobby Labonte will always be my all time favorite driver. Other than interviews during races and a few other times, I haven't heard too much from him really. This is just going to be a great podcast to listen to. Just stories about how he had to work his ass off to get to Winston Cup is so awesome to hear.
They mention Mark Dismore and Junior says the name is familiar. Dismore was in one of the more famous wrecks in Indy 500 history. In practice in the early 90's he spun into the end of pit wall at practically full speed and bounced off that and hit the inside pit wall and his car disintegrated and he about broke every bone in his body. I remember when he came back to qualify for the 500 a couple of years later, it was treated like a miracle that he could ever race again.
As he gets older, Bobby looks more and more like Terry. Like they almost look like twins now. One of my favorite Bobby Labonte moments was around 1995, at Talladega, Jeff Gordon spun Ken Schrader, who was his teammate at the time in the Budweiser car, and Schrader caught air and went flipping 8 or 9 times. Bobby was caught up in the wreck and ended up against the wall. When he climbed out of the car, he sat up on the roof waiting for Gordon to come back around, and when Gordon did, Bobby jumped off the roof and pointed at him, like he was saying, "I saw what you did." Before he got in the Interstate car, he drove that #22 Maxwell House car, which was one of the best looking paint schemes on the track. Unfortunately the car never drove as good as it looked.
The first person I ever heard utter the phrase “begged, borrowed, and stole” was Dale, Sr. It was at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in 1980. It was a draw race and the draw that night was David Pearson, Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Jody Ridley, and Dale, Sr there racing late models (Grand American then) against the local talent. I listened to him talk to Donnie Bishop for quite a while. He told Donnie that if he hadn’t gotten the Wrangler deal that he was done racing and was about to have to get a real job. He said: “I had begged, borrowed, and stole from everybody I knew and was done.”
I was 16 at the time and didn’t have the good sense to get his autograph.
I always enjoyed rooting for Bobby....
Love Bobby Labonte! He was my 2nd favorite driver after the passing of Earnhardt Sr. Then I became a Brad Keselowski fan in 2010 and have always been ever since. Bobby is a class act for sure
Terry and Bobby Labonte winning races in all levels of Nascar racing. Bobby racing Daytona Go Karting. Years later Daytona 500 pole winner.
🙏need to get his brother in there
The Hartman's shop was in Montrose CA just a few miles from where I grew up.Last time I seen Kathy she had a bad wreck at Mesa Marin.Enduros were awesome!!!!CKS the Densmore's were great folks.Bobby your a class act.I raced with Odie for a few years when I was younger.We one every big dirt race you could think of out here.Great stuff Jr.
I love Dale's smile and genuine fascination during these conversations. He's so curious about everything and it's awesome.
We need more Bobby Labonte on this channel! He might be as big of a stock car nerd as Jr. is
Bobby from my hometown. Wish we had better racing here in corpus
These podcasts are amazing. The conversation just flows. Dale is always so genuinely interested and curious with all his guests, that they cant help but feel comfortable, and open up. He asks questions that he truly wants the answer to, and about things he's heard about the guests past. Hes fully engaged, and laughs a lot, and thoroughly enjoys each guest. It comes across so pure and spontaneous.
I love how Dale Jr. is just like a kid in all these interviews. Great stuff!!
I was at the fall race at Atlanta the day Bobby won the race, and Terry clinched the Cup. My dad and I were standing at the fence in turn 3 (now turn 1) as the brothers took a tandem victory lap.
I met Bobby once at a signing in Indiana. All time favorite driver. Super humble. He shook my hand and I didn’t was it for a month lol
Still have a Bobby Labonte Kite from the early 2000's as well as a photograph signed by Bobby and Terry
Bobby Labonte and Michael McSwain were the best driver/crew chief match up in NASCAR history, there I said it!
Always liked Bobby and Terry Labonte > great interview Jr
Enduro karts are one of the safest forms of racing. Cool to know he still remembers!
Dale and Bobby have a rare thing in common, They both are Juniors but 2nd sons.
Victoria Texas and Terry labonte is legendary
Probably why my Dad encouraged my golf game. Racing would have cost him a fortune.
Hugh-John Fleming - How many years have you been on the tour? ;)
Consider yourself lucky, I grew up on a farm. NOTHING was encouraged except work. To this day if I take a few hours on a Sunday to watch a race I can hear my Father in my head asking why I'm not doing something productive. The bottom line to what I'm saying is no kid would be able to do any kind of motor sports without an adult helping them. It's a rich mans sport, and by rich I'm saying if you have $15 in your pocket and it takes $250 to go race something and you have no spare time to go earn or even steal the $235 you need then you will need someone to help you get the money. Rich and poor are relative terms depending on the situation you find yourself in.
If you play anything like i do..so does golf🤪
I’ll never forget we had a lunch lady in 2002-2003 that wore a piece of labonte merchandise everyday
Ritchie Barsz will always be my hero.Good God all mighty he was the smartest man in racing and in life.I would eat lunch with him everyday to try and learn something. He thought me a bunch about life and race cars.God bless him he has made me who I am today. 🤙
Great podcast. Been waiting on Bobby being on for years. A class act.
Can’t wait to watch him drive is the new SRX series 👍🏻👍🏻
God I love Bobby Labonte.....no fear. And Dale Junior is a totally awesome interviewer. In another life he'd be Walter Cronkite.
In another life walter cronkite couldnt drive a racecar.😁
I remember the time Bobby tried to sneak through the crowd at Watkins Glen by carrying a cooler, wearing shades, and sporting a Mark Martin T shirt. He got found out. Then years later Dale Jr tried to do the same thing somewhere else and got recognized too. Can't recall, was it a Tony Stewart shirt? I don't remember where that was either.
I like Broom Boy , both him amd his brother seem like very good calm guys.
Bobby looks good for his age! He has to be getting up there
I didn’t think I would enjoy another guest as well as my all time favorite mark martin, but Bobby is a great interview.
Holy smokes, I was like a giddy kid when Bobby started talking Go-Kart's & some of the Great drivers who drove those karts against him 😃!! I raced karts for almost 20yrs and I raced against most that he mentioned and was lucky enough to beat um once in awhile. Just really cool to hear their names again! I don't recall ever racing against Bobby, but it was a long way from Corpus Christi Texas to Riverside California where I'm from. Was surprised to hear Jr say he didn't know what an Enduro kart was, cause in a previous episode Jr was wearing a 1975 Talladega kart t-shirt, with 75 WKA Grand Champion Ricky Rudd on it (cool shirt Junior 👍) Ol' Rooster Rudd was the first of us Karter's to make the Big Time 💪😎
Hello Dale and Mike and Bobby great interview I always enjoy listening to drivers talking about what they did starting in their career. Wishing everyone there well Take Care Guys
I ❤️ hearing stories from these older Fearless guys
Man every episode I see my old favorites and and listen to the stories and it gives me chills on how they got into NASCAR. Times have changed so much in the last 30 years.... dang I am getting old 😂
Man !!!! these stories so awesome!!
Was waiting for him on here. Aside from Kurt Busch who was and is still my favorite Bobby was one of my favorites. Terry was up there too. Just always seemed like a great and fair racer and was always cool calm and collected
I loved this! It reminded me of being a kid listening to my dad talking to one of his buddies while he sold them Motor Repair manuals at the shop. Grass roots stories to the max. ‘Ol “🧹 Boy” bringing the heat!
What a fun guy BL is !
Love every pod cast that you do. We hear stories that make us say yah I remember that. Then there the the stories we wouldn’t have known with out your show. We also learn something more about your guest. Having said that Dr Jerry Punch, and Todd Parrott are my favourites . Keep up the great work.
Bobby was always one of my favorite. thanks JR!!
Its great hearing the back story on the guys I grew up watching!
God it seemed like it went so quick! That’s another one of those interviews where Jr looks on the edge of his seat, hanging on to everything that’s being said.
Thank you Dale and crew for bringing us these awesome stories. I really miss going to the races back in the day!
Great interview. That was so interesting
....:took a decal off and changed the number.........lol.....love it.
The respect of his parents shine through, God bless.
I loved Bobby. He was too nice if anything
Love these untold stories!!! 👍🏽
My all time favorite driver. Tough, respectful, class act. The 2000 championship season is my favorite season in all of sports that I've watched. So much fun! Have since left Nascar entirely, too much wokeness.
JR Next Time You have some old timers on Can you PLEASE ask them to Share Alan Kulwicki Stories🙏 He is Legend in Wisconsin Racing and Still Loved!
Bobby was my guy !!!
Wish you would upload longer video of the interview with Terry if it exists
The King of Atlanta for a while.
TOTALLY INTERESTING HISTORY, WHO KNEW!
I would love to know how many races these guys had under their belts by the time they got to the top level of racing Cup cars.
I could only imagine if they started in go carts as kids, that they must have 1000’s of races/practice sessions to gain the experience needed to become successful Cup drivers!
I would love to be a life coach for Nascar . Just walk around the pit and motivate people to be awesome
Awesome video. Great stories.
Coyote Freeroller was the chassis to have back then. Used to run stock heavy at Ken Squiers track Thunder Road. Was a quarter mile and the draft was the big thing.
Great interview.
I used to watch bobby labonte when he raced dirt track in concord n.c.
I remember racing with his son tyler in quarter midgets a few times. Actually was in his motorhome once at i believe the 03 turkey gobler race. (Or possibly columbus indoors shortly after). This was right after bobby got his last win at homestead when Bill cut a tire last lap. I was a 12 year old kid who was kinda a bitter bill elliott fan but i still had to tell bobby good win....never would've thought that would be his last win though.
Great episode
Id sweep an mop the floors just to be able to watch everyone work on the cars!!
wow what a story thanks again scooter d
Saw him win at Indy in 2000.