Bobby Labonte

2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion

Born: May 8, 1964
Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX
The File: Won the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Championship, taking the lead in the standings at California in April and leading the rest of the season. Won NASCAR Busch Series championship in 1991 and finished second to Joe Nemechek in 1992 in the closest points race in NASCAR Busch Series history. 2000 title made Labonte the only driver in history to win a championship in both the NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Joined Bill Davis racing in 1993 and finished second to Jeff Gordon in the Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year standings. All 17 career victories have come since joining Joe Gibbs Racing in 1995. Finished second in the 1999 standings to Dale Jarrett. Won the 2000 Brickyard 400 and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte twice. Has 21 career poles. Joined brother Terry (1984, 1996) as only brother to win the NASCAR Winston Cup title.

As a young boy growing up in Texas, Bobby Labonte always looked up to his older brother Terry.

Terry was a budding star in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series while Bobby was coming into his own as a racer. Working his way onto his brother's crew, young Bobby swept the floors of his brother's team garage. When Terry won his first NASCAR Winston Cup title, Bobby served as a crew member.

In 2000, Bobby Labonte joined his brother as a NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion.

Suddenly, he is no longer Terry Labonte's "little brother." He is a star in his own rite.

Their relationship is not only close, it is special for historical reasons as well. Bobby and Terry are the only siblings to win NASCAR's most prestigious championship.

"We're close enough and we've talked enough over the past years that I guess he thought that I was doing the right thing to a certain extent or he would have (given me advice)," said the younger Labonte of his brother's experience as a champion. "I think the biggest part was just knowing that he was there if I needed any encouragement or needed anything."

Bobby certainly did learn one thing from his brother - how to keep it cool and collected in a racecar. Bobby's driving style is similar to that of Terry's, keeping the car out of trouble and being in a position to win at the end of the race.

But don't think Labonte doesn't have a hard-charging attitude for a minute.

"Our goal is simple. We want to try and win every pole, lead every lap and win every race."