“Miss you everyday”: NASCAR Legend Bob Labonte remembered by daughter Kristy

Kristy Labonte, daughter of the Labonte racing family patriarch Bob Labonte, remembered her late father through a heartfelt post on her official X (formerly known as Twitter) handle. It has been six months since the demise of the NASCAR vet.

Bob Labonte was a key figure in the world of NASCAR, best known for his role in shaping the careers of the Labonte brothers: Terry and Bobby. Between 1987 and 1997, he served as the crew chief for several drivers like David Green, Jeff Fuller, and of course, his sons and NASCAR Hall of Famers, Bobby Labonte and Terry Labonte. Labonte was 90 at the time of his demise.

"...To us he was our Dad and also a crew chief, a mentor, our biggest fan, our motivation at times, and our hero," Bobby Labonte wrote in a post following the NASCAR legend's death. "He and our Mom dedicated their lives to our racing careers and to our family."

Remembering her father through a recent post, Kristy wrote:

"Missing him extra today. Somehow we’ve made it six months without him. Miss you everyday, Papaw."

The news of Labonte's death sent a wave of sorrow throughout the entire community. So much so, that even seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, Richard "The King" Petty tweeted:

"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."

Bob Labonte's demise is grieved by his wife, sons, daughter, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Bob Labonte was the driving force behind Bobby and Terry Labonte's NASCAR careers

Bob Labonte developed his love for racing during his teenage days in Maine. Although he wasn't much of a racer himself, Labonte inculcated his passion for motorsport in his two sons. He moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, back when he was in the Navy and working at the Army Depot.

Labonte's sons were born in Corpus Christi. During their younger days, Bobby and Terry used to race Quarter Midgets at the Corpus Christi Speedway. The brothers were always watched over by their father as they honed their racing skills. Later, the duo moved to North Carolina.

In a 2016 article, a man named Aaron Yeomans, who was a Late Model Stock Car racer himself and a close acquaintance of the Labonte family, remembered how passionately Bob Labonte worked for his sons to make it big. Bob Labonte used to work at race shops while his wife, Martha, used to sell race tickets.

"There is not any one person more dedicated to racing and being good at it than Bob Labonte," recalled Yeomans. "He was kind of behind the scenes a lot and anybody that knows Terry, knows his dad. Bob did a lot for him, and sacrificed a lot, and his mother did, too. She was part of it and it's been a family deal."