NASCAR: 5 drivers who pulled a ‘Tom Brady’

Drivers who pulled a “Tom Brady”: No. 2 – Terry Labonte

Before 2007 Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen made his NASCAR Cup Series debut this season, the original “Iceman” in the sport was none other than Terry Labonte.

The Corpus Christi, Texas, native spent the majority of his career with Hendrick Motorsports, piloting the #5 Chevrolet. During his tenure with the organization, Labonte was able to capture the 1996 Cup Series championship.

His full-time run in the #5 car came to end when he announced his plans to retire from full-time Cup Series competition, with Kyle Busch taking his spot in 2005. But Labonte didn’t stop altogether, as he ran a part-time schedule in a fifth car for Hendrick Motorsports, the #44 Chevrolet, as part of a farewell tour.

Even that was far from his last ride in NASCAR.

Labonte went on to compete on a part-time basis until 2014, when he last drove the #32 Ford for Go Fas Racing. His final start came at Talladega Superspeedway, where he was caught up in a wreck and was scored in 33rd place.

Since then, Labonte has kept his promise of retirement from the sport and kept a low-profile life in NASCAR. Outside of an occasional appearance on television or podcasts, the 65-year-old is hardly seen or mentioned compared to his brother Bobby, who currently serves as an analyst for FOX Sports.

But he isn’t the only Hendrick Motorsports driver to return to the team in a part-time capacity.