NASCAR sends a message on HoF Terry Labonte’s 69th birthday

NASCAR took a moment to honor and celebrate one of the sport’s most respected two-time NASCAR Cup Series champions, Terry Labonte, on his birthday as the legend turns 69 on Sunday (November 16). Labonte, known for his calm nature, razor-sharp consistency, and unwavering professionalism, remains one of the sport’s most admired figures decades after his peak.

Terry Labonte almost raced four decades in NASCAR’s top-tier series, from 1978 to 2014. The 69-year-old driver from Corpus Christi, Texas, is the older brother of former Cup champion Bobby Labonte and the father of former O'Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Justin Labonte.

The official Instagram page of the NASCAR Hall of Fame posted a heartfelt post, wishing him happy birthday and highlighting the remarkable journey of “the Iceman.”

The Instagram post reads:

“Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Terry Labonte! From his humble beginnings in Corpus Christi, Texas, to becoming one of NASCAR’s most respected champions, Terry’s journey is the epitome of consistency, character, and excellence. At just 21, he debuted in the Cup Series and by 1980 claimed his first win at the iconic Darlington Raceway. With a career spanning more than 800 starts, Terry amassed 22 Cup wins and secured two championships—in 1984 and 1996—remarkably 12 years apart, a gap no other driver has matched.”

Terry Labonte’s NASCAR career remains a benchmark for longevity and perseverance. Known as “Texas Terry” or “the Iceman,” he earned his first Cup title in 1984 with Hagan Racing, then stunned the sport by capturing a second title after 12 years in 1996 with Hendrick Motorsports—a record span between championships that still stands today.

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Terry Labonte's daughter Kristy shares heartfelt message celebrating the legend’s birthday

Kristy Labonte, the daughter of Terry Labonte, added a warm personal touch to the day with a heartfelt message on her official X account.

She wished her father, writing:

“Happy Birthday to Tex!! Enjoyed celebrating him today. 😊 #dad #poppy”

In addition to the two-Cup championship, Labonte earned 22 wins and 361 top-10 finishes in 890 starts in the series. In the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, he made 124 starts and won 11 races. He also won the IROC championship in 1989.

The 69-year-old former driver built a resume that placed him among NASCAR’s elite and regarded him as one of sports’ greatest drivers of all time. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2016. Beyond racing, he co-owns a Chevrolet dealership in North Carolina with Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick.

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Edited by Yash Soni