It took 26 years, but Bobby Labonte celebrated another a stock car win at Nashville. (Photo: Eric Parks | The Podium Finish)
When Bobby Labonte last won at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, the first Mission Impossible movie was released in theatres in 1996.
About 26 years later, as Tom Cruise’s film series plans its return in 2023 and 2024, a star of the 1990s made his return to the spotlight.
Labonte, returning to the Camping World SRX Series for a second consecutive year, made his presence known in the fourth round of the season. Starting from the pole position by virtue of finishing third and fourth in the two qualifying heats, Labonte established himself as the prime contender during Saturday night’s 75-lap main event.
While he may be 56 years old, Labonte still showcased his trademark swagger and cool demeanor in his No. 18 Sport Clips ride. Much like Noel Gallagher, formerly of Oasis, Labonte did not look back in anger, but rather, forward with chasing after another guitar in “The Music City.”
There wasn’t anything easy about Labonte’s dominant night in Nashville. (Photo: Eric Parks | The Podium Finish)
Unlike that fateful St. Patrick’s Day race in 1996, Labonte had a bit of an easier time chasing the checkered flag. In fact, the 2000 NASCAR Cup Series champion led the most laps on Saturday night.
Despite holding a pretty wheel around the 0.596-mile short track, Labonte still had some tenacious competitors in his rear view mirror like Marco Andretti and Matt Kenseth.
At one point, Labonte fell to second prior to a restart with 18 laps remaining. In this case, he had to muscle his way past Andretti, resorting to clean but paint trading maneuvers to regain the lead.
Taking the lead for good off turn 3, Labonte netted his first SRX win, a moment that proved a bit emotional for the usual cool headed racer.
“I tell you what, I didn’t run that good in practice and I told Tony (Eury Jr.), ‘I think I’m running the wrong line,'” Labonte said to CBS Sports’ Matt Yocum.” I usually try to fire off and go fast and try to feel like I have plenty of confidence and I didn’t, but I will say, I just followed Josef (Newgarden) there early and a couple of the other guys. They’re tough.”
Certainly, Labonte gave some props to the fans and SRX staff for a memorable evening in Nashville.
“First and foremost, I’ve got to thank the fans for being here tonight and then also, these guys on this SRX group, all these men and women, you won’t believe how hard they work to get these cars to the race track week in and week out,” Labonte offered. “Thank you for coming and tuning in.”
Beyond the tough competition and great fan support, Labonte may have had some inspiration from his family, particularly from a possible next generation Labonte talent.
Perhaps Labonte found inspiration from his family. (Photo: Eric Parks | The Podium Finish)
“We had a great night, a lot of fun,” he offered. “Can’t believe I won one because it’s like I think, ‘I just don’t think we’re ever going to win,’ and we’ll finish third or fifth.
“But my nephew Justin Labonte, his kid won a quarter midget race today at our quarter midget track in Salisbury, so I had a little pressure on me today. He won $385, so I might have beat him now. I’m pretty excited.”
Making it more exciting for Labonte was sharing the win with the partners of the SRX although the emotions of winning his first series race seemed similar to his experiences during the 1995 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.
“We’ve got Sport Clips on our car. Camping World, can’t thank you enough and Marcus (Lemonis),” he said. “I just thought I wasn’t going to win, I thought, I’m not going to win. This is so intimidating with these drivers. I’m telling you, I get nervous. I think I’m going to puke with about 10 to go, thinking no more cautions.”
In spite of leading the most laps and being as cool as the other side of the pillow, Labonte highlighted the fruits of his labor against a very competitive field at Nashville.
Labonte was on top of the podium with Andretti and Kenseth flanking him. (Photo: Eric Parks | The Podium Finish)
“Marco (Andretti), Paul (Tracy), all of these guys, and Josef coming in here and running so good having never done this before, they’re just so good. I’m just thinking, ‘Man, I see Matt Kenseth coming and I’ve seen this story before. Oh my god, here he comes,'” Labonte recalled. “It’s just so hard, it’s not easy. Maybe I made it look a little easy tonight, but it wasn’t easy.”
Camping World SRX Series Race No. 4 Results
Labonte, Andretti, Kenseth, Tracy, Castroneves, Newman, Newgrden, Waltrip, Biffle, Hunter-Reay, Stewart, Williams, Kanaan
