Labonte to be inducted into Texas Motorsports HOF

CONCORD, N.C. -- Bobby Labonte will be inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame on April 1 during a gala at the Texas Motor Speedway's Speedway Club. Labonte will join brother, Terry, and other legends of the sport as part of an elite group instrumental to the growth of Texas motorsports.

B. Labonte

"I'm honored and humbled to have people in Texas appreciate what I do on the track," Labonte said. "I love Texas and will always hold the state and the speedway close to my heart. I was there for the ground breaking [of Texas Motor Speedway] and have made a few unforgettable career accomplishments there.

"It's a really nice feeling to know that you've got people behind you in your home state. I've also been lucky enough over the years to have great people behind me; great fans, great owners, great sponsors, great teams. I wouldn't be where I am today without the support of people in the industry and people who love the sport."

The Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame honors outstanding individuals in Texas motorsports, active or retired. The ceremony allows Labonte to join previous inductees A.J. Foyt (2003), Johnny Rutherford (2003), Terry Labonte (2003), Lee Shepherd (2004), Kenny Bernstein (2005), Jim Hall (2005), Eddie Hill (2006), Jim McElreath (2007) and Mark Martin (2007).

Nominees to the TMHOF are determined by a panel of motorsports media from throughout Texas, including representatives from print and broadcast outlets in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. At the conclusion of each season, TMHOF panelists meet to debate potential inductees, produce the slate of nominees and vote on the award recipients.

Proceeds from the ceremony will benefit Happy Hill Farm, a Texas children's academy and home that works to rehabilitate at-risk children. Other awards presented at the ceremony include the Bruton Smith Legends Award, Texas Motor Speedway Sportsmanship Award and Texas Motor Speedway Racer of the Year.