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Terry Labonte Nominated for NASCAR True Value Man of the Year

18 September 1997

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - Defending Winston Cup Series champion Terry
Labonte has been named the third-quarter nominee for the 1997 NASCAR
True Value Man of the Year award.

Labonte joins first-quarter nominee Kyle Petty and second-quarter
nominee Bill Elliott in the running for the $50,000 True Value Man of
the Year prize, which will be split equally between the recipient and
a charity of his choice. A blue-ribbon panel will select the winner
from among the four quarterly nominees.

The honor rewards drivers for off-track involvement with various
community service and actions on behalf of charitable
institutions. Labonte is being recognized for his work with the
National Bone Marrow Foundation in promoting screening programs for
potential donors.

"This is a tremendous honor," Labonte said. "You know you sit there
and watch these awards shows on television and see people who didn't
win say it was an honor to be nominated and you think, 'yeah, right.'
But I can see what they mean. Thi isn't the same kind of deal, but
it's similar. I didn't do what I did for a pat on the back and I would
do it again a hundred times and not look for a pat on the back as long
as what we're doing is helping somebody.  But, that what True Value is
trying to do, too and that's a neat deal."

The fourth-quarter nominee will be announced November 11.