Labonte Father and Son Enter NBIS 250
Noted American Racing Family Makes Plans for Big Canadian Race
It’s the biggest news to hit the Geary woods since the paving started in 1994, Texas Terry Labonte, two-time Nextel Cup Champion has entered the 2007 Peterbilt 250. To make things even more exciting, Terry’s son Justin, a former Busch Series event winner, has entered as well. The interesting point here is that they have never competed against each other, ever! Fans of NBIS will witness history in the making as Justin and Terry go head to head on Canada’s Fastest Short Track.
Terry (left) and Justin (right) Labonte. (NBIS Photo)
The Labontes announced their intentions today to compete in the Peterbilt 250 with the support of primary sponsor Irving Lubricants as well as supporting sponsor Peterbilt New Brunswick. "Justin and I are excited about coming to the Peterbilt 250. We've never actually raced against each other so we are really looking forward to it." Says two time Nextel Cup Champion Terry Labonte. Justin is just as enthusiastic about the chance to race against his father. “We have been running a lot of Late Model races down in North Carolina over the past year so hopefully we'll be able to surprise Dad and make this an even better race," said Justin Labonte.
Irving Lubricants will be the primary sponsor on both the Labonte’s Pro Stock entries. “We can’t express how excited we are to be able to bring the Labontes to the fans of the region. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with a quality product and this is an extension of that pride. To have a Champion like Terry Labonte and his son Justin representing our colors in the Peterbilt 250 is unbelievable. We, at Irving Lubricants, are launching a new line of Irving MAX 1 Advanced Synthetic Oil and Irving MAX 1 Plus Severe Duty Synthetic Blend this summer and we couldn’t think of a better way to tell everyone about the new products.” said Kevin Boyle, General Manager Irving Lubricants Division.
This news has also got the management at NBIS energized. “We are thrilled to have Terry Labonte and Justin Labonte racing in the Peterbilt 250,” said NBIS co-owner Steve Burns, “The fact that they have never raced each other is historic and we’re happy it’s going to happen here at NBIS.”
Last year’s Peterbilt 250 attracted a record number of 44 entries for the event. Early predictions are that the 2007 event could break the record for entries by a substantial amount. Throw in two more names like Terry and Justin Labonte and it’s not hard to realize why the event has become the Premier Pro Stock race in the Northeast.
Terry will drive a car prepared by Dave O’Blenis out of Boundary Creek. O’Blenis is not new to
the idea of putting a high profile driver in his equipment. O’Blenis fielded entries for NASCAR’s
Johnny Benson for the 2005 and 2006 Peterbilt 250 events. “We are pumped! This event is
more fun every year and this year to have Terry driving our car is unreal. We are so excited to
be part of this deal and to have a legend like Terry at the event”. said Dave O’Blenis.
Justin’s car will be prepared by none other than defending Peterbilt 250 Champion Lonnie
Sommerville. “I can’t wait, we’ve been on cloud nine since winning last years Peterbilt 250, but
now to have one of our sponsors, Irving Lubricants, bringing a couple of guys like Terry and
Justin to race with us, it’s just awesome! I’m really excited about being part of this history
making event with Justin and Terry racing each other for the first time. We’ll see what we can
do to get Justin out on top. It’s going to be a lot of fun”, said Sommerville.
Terry Labonte retired from Nextel Cup in 2006 after winning 2 Nextel Cup Championships and
22 Nextel Cup events. Most recently Terry has stepped back into Nextel Cup to compete in
two road course events for Michael Waltrip racing. Terry’s last Cup win came on Labour Day
weekend in 2003 at the Southern 500 in Darlington. Hmmm.. Labour Day weekend?
Justin Labonte claimed his first NASCAR BUSCH Series victory in 2004 at Chicagoland
Speedway in just his 31st start. In 2005 Justin ran a full BUSCH series schedule and
inished 17th in points. Justin is currently running late models (and winning) in North Carolina
on a limited basis. He also fills in for Kyle Busch in the #5 Hendrick Motorsports BUSCH
Series entry.
The Labonte’s entries are the 4th and 5th Irving Lubricants sponsored cars to announce their
intentions to race in the September event. 2006 Peterbilt 250 Champion Lonnie Sommerville,
Fearless Frank Fraser, and PASS standout Travis Benjamin are all sponsored by Irving Lubricants and have entered this years event. “We are really excited about the Irving Lubricants Team we have been able to bring together for this years Peterbilt 250”, said Kevin Boyle, General Manager Irving Lubricants Division.
Irving Lubricants will also have a presence on Saturday night of Leisure Family RV Centers SPEEDWEEKEND as they are the primary sponsor on #83 Sportsman entry of Corey Little who will be competing in the O’Leary Pontiac Excitement Sportsman 150.
Justin Labonte visited victory lane in the NASCAR Busch Series at Chicago in 2004. (JustinLabonte.com / US Coast Guard Photo)
