HendrickCars.com pays homage to Terry Labonte with Darlington throwback scheme
NASCAR’s throwback weekend has become a fan favorite, which annually honors the sport’s unique past at one of its most historic facilities in Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. This year’s throwback race is also extra special for Hendrick Motorsports, as the organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary of Cup Series competition in 2024.
As part of the yearlong festivities, NASCAR Champion Kyle Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro will pay homage to two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and Hendrick Motorsports legend, “Texas Terry” Labonte by running his iconic No. 5 paint scheme at the Darlington throwback race. And there’s no better way to kick off a celebration than with a surprise.
On the April 24 episode of FS1’s Race Hub, Labonte joined the show for a segment honoring his part of Hendrick Motorsports’ history, but he was unaware that Kyle Larson and HendrickCars.com were waiting behind the scenes with a special announcement.
Larson came prepared with a show car wrapped in the new version of the classic paint scheme and surprised Labonte with the throwback news live on air.
“This is such a cool scheme that’s so special to fans, it’s really a part of history. And so is Terry. Getting to surprise somebody like that, who’s done so much for the sport, is going to be really cool.” said Larson, ahead of Wednesday’s live unveil.
A Colorful Combination
Overlaying the car’s iconic red, yellow, green and white color palette, stylized HendrickCars.com logos will be located on the hood, rear deck lid and side quarter panels of Larson’s Camaro. The No. 5 will once again be shaded red, completing what some consider as the most-recognizable NASCAR paint scheme from that era.
Labonte, the 1984 Series champion, and the No. 5 Kellogg’s Chevrolet were mainstays at the front of the field, during a time that saw Hendrick Motorsports emerge as the sport’s most dominant organization. Labonte’s 1996 title was the team’s second-consecutive Cup Series championship, following Jeff Gordon’s inaugural title in 1995.
Since, Hendrick Motorsports has gone on to capture a record 14 Cup Series titles.
HENDRICKCARS.COM I EXPLORE INVENTORY I SCHEDULE SERVICE I CAREERS I BLOG
Darlington Success for Larson and Labonte
After having three runner-ups in previous years, Larson finally broke through at Darlington this past September, winning his first at the “Track Too Tough to Tame.” This year’s race will be the HendrickCars.com driver’s 13th Cup Series start at the famed facility.
For his part, Labonte also enjoyed Darlington, grabbing his first career Cup Series victory during the 1980 Southern 500, two years after making his Cup debut at the track in 1978. He won the 2003 Southern 500 as well.
His 1980 victory was first of many for Labonte in NASCAR’s upper division, as he scored 22 overall Cup Series victories, 27 poles and 361 top-10s throughout his illustrious career. In his 12 years with Hendrick Motorsports, Labonte captured 12 Cup Series victories and seven overall pole positions. He also won the 1989 International Race of Champions (IROC) championship.
On the business side, Labonte is a successful and long-standing partner with Hendrick Automotive Group in the operations of Terry Labonte Chevrolet in Greensboro, North Carolina.
VISIT TERRY LABONTE CHEVROLET I NEW INVENTORY I SCHEDULE SERVICE I SILVERADO
The 2024 Goodyear 400 “Official Throwback Weekend” NASCAR Cup Series starts at 3 p.m, ET on FS1. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and the nearly 650 MRN network affiliates throughout the United States will have LIVE coverage from the race.
AdChoices