ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, November 30, 1996            TAG: 9612020094
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: B-5  EDITION: METRO 
                                             TYPE: LETTER 

GORDON MUST TAKE LOSING WITH WINNING

In reference to a recent letter Nov. 23, I would like to also respond.

I certainly don't think you need to sell the name Terry Labonte to any true race fan. I'm a follower of NASCAR racing also and it shows. Bob Zeller has a lot of class to stand by Terry. I'll give ``Jeff, the Kid'' credit - he's a good driver but I don't think he's paid his dues like many of the others. Yes, Gordon was the 1995 champion - but who is the 1996 champion? That's right - the Iceman, Terry Labonte.

It's very refreshing to see a familiar name in the limelight given his fair reward and recognition. So let Jeff take the back seat this year and allow a well deserving veteran of racing be the champ! It's time for Jeff and his fans to accept the boos too - that's racing.

IRVIN BENOIS

Salem

LENGTH: Short :   27 lines
KEYWORDS: SPORTS MAILBAG