“Texas Terry” and “The Iceman” were two nicknames used to describe NASCAR Winston Cup driver, Terry Labonte. At the 1996 First Union 400, Labonte would add title of “Iron Man” to that portfolio. Driving a specially painted “Iron Grey” Kellogg’s Monte Carlo, Labonte would tie with racing icon Richard Petty for a record 513 consecutive starts in NASCAR’s
premiere series.
Labonte leads Elton Sawyer, Mark Martin, and Bobby Hamilton
to the start of the final spring race at North Wilkesboro.
A feat which was 17 years in the making, Labonte met a few bumps in the road en route to this record. In 1982, Labonte cut a tire and ran head-on into a retaining wall at Riverside International Raceway resulting in a nasty crash which resulted in Labonte being carted off on an EMT gurney. Luckily for Terry, the race at Riverside was the final race of the 1982 season so he was able to recover over the off season.
The streak again fell into jeopardy compliments of a crash at Darlington in 1987 that left Terry with a broken shoulder. The injury left Labonte’s starting of the next race at North Wilkesboro in question. However, Labonte managed to start the race but was later replaced with Brett Bodine during a caution. Since Labonte started the race his consecutive starts were left in tact.
Labonte won the pole for the final spring race at North Wilkesboro Speedway and followed it up with an eventual victory. Labonte would go on to win the 1996 Winston Cup Championship. As for his consecutive start streak, it would end at 655 starts after Terry was forced to miss the 2000 Brickyard 400 due to injuries sustained at Daytona weeks earlier. Eventually, Ricky Rudd would go on to break Labonte’s streak to 788 consecutive starts.
