Justin Labonte has a chance to show he inherited more than a good racing name

Lee Spencer

There's far more to Justin Labonte than being born with a silver racing spoon in his mouth.

Certainly, his last name has opened doors, but Labonte, who's 24 and the son of Terry Labonte, had to work his way through the racing ranks like any other aspiring driver after entering the Busch Series in 1999.

But one clear advantage of being a Laborite is the advice Justin can get from his father.

"I always have somebody I can ask where I'm screwing up," Justin says.

Perhaps the best advice Terry offered him was the same counsel he offered his brother, Bobby, years ago: Win a track championship. Like Uncle Bobby, Justin won a title in 2003 at Caraway Speedway (Asheboro, N.C.). He returned to the Busch Series the following year and won his first Busch race, driving the No. 44 car at Chicagoland Speedway.

"To make it to this level, a driver has to pay his dues," former Busch champion David Green says. "Justin is no different. His father has been careful not to push Justin but to allow him to progress at his own rate.

"Justin has his father's patience, and that will help him if he goes to Cup. Like his dad, he's a finesse driver. The bigger cars will suit him."

Justin's current situation with Labonte Motorsports-Haas CNC Racing offers him Hendrick Motorsports engines and cars, but Terry says the team hasn't had "the right personnel." Now, with Harold Holly joining the team as crew chief and adding his expertise, Justin has fewer excuses.

"Having Harold join the team is the best thing we could have hoped for," Terry says. "Now, Justin just has to go out and race. It's no different for him than it is for anyone else."

TSN's BUSCH POWER POLL

1. Martin Truex Wrong place, wrong time increases the defending champ's vulnerability.

2. Clint Bowyer

3. Reed Sorenson

4. Carl Edwards

5. Kenny Wallace

[up arrow] 6. Paul Menard

7. Denny Hamlin

8. David Green

[down arrow] 9. David Stremme

10. Jason Keller

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