A wave of nostalgia swept through NASCAR fandom this week as Kristy Labonte, daughter of Hall of Famer Terry Labonte, paid tribute to her father’s legendary career. She retweeted a fan’s post about Terry’s 1996 First Union 400 victory at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The post highlighted Terry’s record-tying 513th consecutive start and his dominant win that day.
Fans flooded the thread with memories of Terry’s ice-cool demeanor and the iconic No. 5 Chevrolet. The tribute came just a week after the Goodyear 400, where Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson drove a car painted as a throwback to Terry’s 2003 Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway, a nod to a legacy that still resonates nearly three decades later.
Kristy Labonte Sparks Nostalgia With Tribute to Father’s Ironman Legacy
Terry Labonte’s 1996 season remains a cornerstone of NASCAR history. On April 14 in that year, he led 167 laps at North Wilkesboro, ultimately taking the checkered flag by 0.239 seconds over Jeff Gordon, a victory made sweeter by its timing.
The race marked his 513th consecutive start, tying Richard Petty’s record back then. Terry’s No. 5 Chevrolet, usually bright yellow, gleamed in chrome silver to honor the milestone.
“It meant so much to me to set a record like that, and it wasn’t like we were riding around in the back to set records,” Terry said in a 2024 interview. “To go out and win a race the day we went out and tied that record, that was special.”
The car’s speed was so formidable that crew chief Gary DeHart talked team owner Rick Hendrick into pulling it from the organization’s museum for a 1996 Phoenix race. The decision backfired when Terry crashed it in practice, fracturing his hand.
Terry’s daughter, Kristy Labonte, recently retweeted a photo of the “silver bullet” with the caption: “Probably a fan favorite of all the paint schemes. Pretty cool memory!” Her post got the NASCAR community to delve into nostalgia.
Probably a fan favorite of all the paint schemes. Pretty cool memory! 🏁 https://t.co/yCkCpSi9is
— Kristy Labonte (@KristyLabonte) April 14, 2025
Fans still revere the scheme for its symbolism. “Your dad had some cool schemes!” one user replied to Kristy’s post. Another added, “I wish we had cool cars and drivers like Terry and Bobby out there today.”
“Back when the Labonte boys were racing, there wasn’t an empty seat to be found, except when everyone was standing, which was often.”
The design’s resurgence in 2025, first through Kyle Larson’s Darlington throwback and now Kristy’s tribute, has reignited appreciation for an era defined by Terry’s quiet dominance.
Kyle Larson’s Darlington Tribute Extends Terry Labonte’s Timeless Impact
Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet has become a bridge between NASCAR’s past and present. For the second straight year, his Hendrick Motorsports team unveiled a Terry Labonte-inspired paint scheme at Darlington’s Throwback Weekend. The 2025 livery mirrored Terry’s 2003 victory design, earning Kristy’s approval: “So awesome to see!”
The tribute won NASCAR’s Best in Class Throwback Fan Vote, a testament to its resonance. But Larson’s Darlington run ended abruptly when he wrecked four laps into the race.
As Kristy’s tribute circulates and Larson’s evolves, Terry’s legacy endures, a reminder that even in a sport obsessed with speed, some icons never fade.