Anyone who knew Terry and Bobby Labonte knew their dad, Bob Labonte, 90. He moved to Corpus Christi in the late 1940s. He was with the Navy back then and was working at the Corpus Christi Army Depot. But his teenage passion for racing never died. If anything, he made it a family custom and worked hard for Terry and Bobby’s success. He would work on their cars, while his wife, Martha, would sell tickets at the Corpus Christi Speedway.

All their labor paid off after they moved to North Carolina in the 1970s so that the brothers could pursue their NASCAR dreams. Both are now NASCAR Hall of Famers! They are the only Texans to be inducted into the gloried Hall. Unfortunately, their pillar of strength- their father- passed away. The 2000 Winston Cup champion, Bobby Labonte, shared the heartbreaking news on X.

NASCAR World grieving over 2x Busch Series-winning owner and crew chief Bob Labonte

The tweet had a picture of their late father, celebrating him for the impact he’s made on the wider motorsports community. Bobby’s post read, “This week, Terry and I lost our Dad. To many of you who knew him around the garage, you know he was larger than life. To us he was our Dad and also a crew chief, a mentor, our biggest fan, our motivation at times, and our hero.”

“He and our Mom dedicated their lives to our racing careers and to our family. We are deeply saddened by the loss of our Dad, although we know he is in a far better place. We thank everyone for their support during this difficult time.”

The older Labonte was a two-time car owner champion and crew chief in the Busch Series- now known as the Xfinity Series. He also owned Labonte Motorsports until his retirement from the sport in 1996.

The cause of death was not revealed. He passed away on April 8, 2024, at home. Adding to the tributes, 7x NASCAR champion and Hall of Famer, Richard Petty gloriously came forward to offer his sincerest sympathies to the family. “Richard Petty and The Petty Family is deeply saddened by the loss of Bob Labonte. He was instrumental in shaping the careers of his sons, Terry and Bobby, and his contributions to the sport won’t be forgotten. The Labonte Family is in our thoughts and prayers,” he wrote.

He is survived by his wife Martha and two sons: Terry Labonte and his wife Kimberly, Bobby Labonte, and his wife Kristin Labonte. He has four grandchildren: Justin Labonte, Kristy Garrett, Tyler Labonte, and Madi Labonte. And four great-grandchildren, Asher, Harper, Brooks, and Karlen.

Without Bob Labonte’s influence, NASCAR would have missed out on two big names!

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Both the brothers initially raced quarter midgets. The older brother also tried his luck at the old Corpus Christi Speedway and later in Houston and San Antonio. But it was in Corpus Christi’s Yeager Elementary School’s parking lot that they started gaining racing skills. The family moving to the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina was a game-changer. “Whether you had a choice or not, I was taken to the track as an infant and I guess I just grew up there… Dad taught us a lot, he took us and showed us how to race. He was very influential,” Bobby said, ahead of his Hall of Fame induction.

Additionally, back in 2016, Aaron ‘Slick’ Yeomans, a close friend of the Labonte family, revealed, “There is not any one person more dedicated to racing and being good at it than Bob Labonte.” Like the Labontes, he too had moved to North Carolina from Corpus Christi. Yeomans shared how Bob Labonte constantly worked behind the scenes. Martha, too, was a big part of the family’s racing careers. As a result, X was filled with condolence for Labonte’s close ones.

From journalists like Bob Pockrass and Matt Weaver to the official handle of Pocono Raceway, many insiders attempted to share the Labonte family’s grief. Even the official NASCAR X put out their most heartfelt social media sentiment, writing, “Sending love to you and the Labonte family.” 

The grandstands were also devastated to hear about this loss, with countless fans coming in to voice their condolences. “Rest In Peace Sir,” wrote one X user while others commented, “Praying for your family, I am sorry for your’s and Terry’s loss.” and “Very sorry for your family’s loss.” Similarly, another fan shared, “God rest his soul, Bobby. I’m sorry for the loss in the Labonte family. But I’m grateful that he raised two Hall of Famers and NASCAR Cup champions, and you got to share those victories and hard times with him.”

As the family mourns Bob Labonte’s death, a memorial service will be held on April 12, 3:00 p.m. at Green Street Baptist Church in High Point.