The United States Coast Guard announced Wednesday that it is entering into a partnership with Labonte Motorsports and driver Justin Labonte for a 15-race schedule in the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series. Justin’s father, two-time NASCAR champion Terry Labonte and his uncle Bobby Labonte, winner of the 2000 Nextel championship and 1991 NASCAR Busch Series championship, will participate in the program which is aimed at enhancing the Coast Guard’s recruiting and outreach missions. Justin, 22, recently won the 2003 Late Model Stock Championship at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C., duplicating the feat accomplished by Bobby Labonte in 1987. Justin posted impressive statistics in his title run with 7 wins in 24 starts, to go along with 19 top-five and 21 top-ten finishes. The 2004 Team Coast Guard Racing/Labonte Motorsports #44 Dodge will be powered by the Labonte Motorsports in-house motor development group, Labonte Racing Engines, Inc., headed by Freddie Turza. Bryant Frazier will be the team’s crew chief. He was the crew chief for Steve Grissom during his Busch Series championship season in 1993 and later served as crew chief for Bobby Labonte in several of his Busch Series victories.(NASCAR.com)(12-17-2003)
