ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, November 11, 1996 TAG: 9611120046
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: HAMPTON, GA.
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
The younger Labonte brother drove with abandon. The older Labonte carefully steered his way through the final laps of the longest, most nerve-wracking afternoon of his NASCAR Winston Cup career.
In the end, they both won.
As Bobby Labonte won the NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway from the pole position, older brother Terry won the 1996 Winston Cup championship with a fifth-place finish.
Bobby got past Jeff Gordon with a daring first-turn pass, took the lead a few laps later and led the final 42 circuits to win by .41 seconds over Dale Jarrett. Gordon was third, followed by Dale Earnhardt.
With all three championship contenders finishing in the top five, the season's final race had little impact on the points. Labonte gave up five points to teammate Jeff Gordon, but still won by 37. Jarrett gained 10 to finish 89 behind Labonte.
When it was over, the new champion stood on a flatbed truck holding a cup of champagne in his broken, bandaged left hand and finally, for perhaps the first time in his life, could not maintain the easygoing, unemotional demeanor that is his trademark.
His voice choked and cracking, Labonte admitted that this title - his second - had a more profound impact than the first one he won in 1984.
``I never thought it would take me 12 years to win another championship,'' he said. ``We finally did, and it's a great feeling.''
Did it feel the same as 1984?
``I think it's a little different,'' he said.
Later, in the press box, he admitted, ``That was the first time I've ever got emotional. I couldn't believe it. It really surprised me. But the last time I won it, I thought, `That's pretty neat. I'll probably do it again next year.' I thought next year would never get here.
``Three or four years ago, I went through a spell where I didn't win a race for three or four years,'' he added. ``I think that's what makes it really special.''
As always, the two brothers worked together. They've always traded information, shared parts and offered each other advice and support.
``Bobby and I are probably a little different than some of the other brothers in racing,'' Terry said. ``We actually like each other and get along.''
Early in the race, when Terry needed to lead a lap to earn five Winston Cup bonus points, Bobby let him by. And at the end, they took a side-by-side victory lap together.
``I tell you,'' said Bobby. ``That's something I'll cherish forever. That's the coolest thing we've ever done together.''
Perhaps no one felt the emotion more than their father, Bob, who was watching from pit road.
``I tell you, the thing really didn't hit me right after the race. But when they came down the frontstretch together, it was pretty deep right here,'' Bob said, patting his heart.
While Terry won the biggest prize, which pays more than $1.5 million, Bobby left Atlanta with his biggest payday. His $274,900 prize included a $136,800 Unocal bonus for winning from the pole.
Bobby led a total of 147 laps, going to the front at various points of the race. The key pass, however, came on lap 281, when Gordon was in third place, trailing Ricky Rudd and Bobby Hamilton, who were driving on fading tires. Gordon was trying to lap Chad Little which slowed him slightly coming off turn four.
``I think on that pass I made, we were three-wide going into [turn] one,'' Bobby said. ``But we made it through there. Dang, that wasn't a normal deal for me. But I knew we were on a mission, so we had to do what we had to do.''
Said Gordon, ``I was either going to have to check up or end my day altogether.''
Six laps later, Bobby took the lead from Hamilton and was in front the rest of the way.
Terry, meanwhile, had all sorts of things to keep him nervous.
He was having trouble seeing through the setting sun in turn three. For a time, his team was worried that he wouldn't have enough fuel to finish the race. On the final restart on lap 278 after the last yellow flag, Gordon was in fourth and Terry was in 13th place. His championship points lead was down to nine points, based on their respective positions.
But his car was running well and soon he was back in the top five.
``I just kinda found me a spot right there and rode it out,'' he said. ``It seemed like the longest race I ever ran.''
There was very little chatter on Labonte's radio during the race. ``We didn't really talk too much today,'' he said. ``Everybody was afraid to say anything.''
But he did speak when he took the checkered flag. And this was typical Terry Labonte.
``I appreciate it, man,'' he said on the team radio. ``Thanks everybody.''
This was before the emotion kicked in and the champagne started flowing and spraying. Terry got soaked, of course, and nearly froze during the rest of the ceremonies, which were held outdoors on a chilly November afternoon. His left hand, which he broke in a crash during practice at Phoenix last month, had started throbbing with 100 laps to go.
But there was never a chance that any of the discomfort could erase the smile on his face.
``It was just a great day for the family,'' he said.
The best ever?
Terry paused.
``Maybe. Maybe the best ever.''
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Race winner Bobby Labonte (left) and Winston Cupby CNBchampion Terry Labonte share a winning moment. color. KEYWORDS: AUTO RACING