Texas Speedzone - “Texas Terry” Labonte’s Last Ride will be one for the ages.

FORT WORTH, Texas (Oct. 10, 2006) – “Texas Terry” Labonte’s Last Ride will be one for the ages. The native of Corpus Christi is getting a Texas-sized salute from Texas Motor Speedway, NASCAR and the fans attending the Nov. 2-5 Dickies 500 race weekend as the two-time series champion makes the final start of his Cup career.

FORT WORTH, Texas (Oct. 10, 2006) – “Texas Terry” Labonte’s Last Ride will be one for the ages. The native of Corpus Christi is getting a Texas-sized salute from Texas Motor Speedway, NASCAR and the fans attending the Nov. 2-5 Dickies 500 race weekend as the two-time series champion makes the final start of his Cup career. The festivities will kick off Thursday evening, Nov. 2 as the “All-Star Tribute to Terry Labonte” will be held in the Texas Grand Ballroom on the ninth floor of The Speedway Club. The special dinner gala, which benefits Speedway Children’s Charities, Texas Chapter, will honor Labonte with a variety of special guests from throughout his racing career. The evening will also include a live auction featuring items from Terry’s career courtesy of Hendrick Motorsports. Only four tables remain for this special night to honor one of the greatest sports legends in Texas history. To reserve a table or seats, contact Speedway Children’s Charities at (817) 215-8421. On Sunday, Nov. 5, prior to the start for the Dickies 500, Texas Motor Speedway, in association with NASCAR, will present a special pre-race salute to Labonte. NASCAR and key sponsors through the years will present special gifts to Labonte and his family on stage at the start/finish line. Fans will enjoy an exciting video tribute to Labonte on the NEXTELVision screens. During driver introductions prior to the Dickies 500, Labonte will be the final driver introduced, regardless of his qualifying position. He and his wife, Kim, will be given a parade lap around the track in a Chevrolet Corvette so fans can have a chance to show their appreciation. All other drivers will receive the traditional parade lap in the bed of Chevy Silverado trucks. Following the command for “Gentleman, Start Your Engines,” Labonte will lead the field on the parade lap before falling back to his qualifying position for the pace laps. Labonte, who won Cup titles in 1984 and ’96, is one of only 14 drivers in NASCAR history to win multiple Cup series titles. His career features 22 wins, including a win at Texas Motor Speedway in 1999. In 11 starts at TMS, Labonte has five top-10 finishes as well as a pole position in 2000. Last month at Texas Motor Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports surprised Labonte with the unveiling of a special paint scheme his car will carry for the Dickies 500. The unique car wrap features images of his career victories with Hendrick, including the 1999 Texas win on the car’s hood. One of the special tributes to Labonte will directly involve the fans, who will have an opportunity to sign a giant greeting card designed especially for “Texas Terry.” The card will be located in the “10 Years Strong Experience” exhibit, located in the midway area near Gate 4, throughout the race weekend. The official Dickies 500 collector’s edition souvenir program will highlight his career. An eight-page special section will be included in the Dickies 500 edition focusing on the life and accomplishments of “Texas Terry.” Each program also will include a special Terry Labonte “Last Ride” tribute poster.