“Since Earnhardt Passed Away” – NASCAR Legend Silences Haters Wanting the Old Times as He Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane

NASCAR, with its rich 75-year history, has experienced its fair share of peaks and troughs. There were eras when the sport and its stars captured the public’s imagination, dominating conversations nationwide. Yet, following its golden age, NASCAR witnessed a gradual decrease in its fan base and overall interest.

Recently, in a conversation with Kenny Wallace, a NASCAR legend was prompted to reflect on his views about today’s NASCAR. He then articulated his perspective, drawing comparisons between the current generation of NASCAR and its golden era from 1995 to 2005. He acknowledged the differences but affirmed the unique appeal of today’s NASCAR scene.

NASCAR legend shares his insight on NASCAR

Giving his personal take, former Joe Gibbs Racing driver and 2000 Winston Cup Series Champion, Bobby Labonte stated, “Well, I think that it is as good or better for the time than anything else. 15 years ago, it was as good as it was for the time. But times have changed, right?”

“It was easy back then in 95 to 2005. It just kind of happened. The popularity… The 75 million fans, or whatever it was called… When Dale Senior was alive, we had all these drivers that were liked by so many.”

“We had sponsors that put everything into place, to make a lot of people household names. Coca-Cola, Interstate Batteries (pointing at himself.) You had Jeff Gordon and DuPont. You had UPS with Dale Jarrett… Today, I don’t know that anybody could have predicted what took place in the last 10 years or since [Dale] Earnhardt [Senior] passed away…”

“How it was gonna go, y’all think it’s gonna get bigger, better, and all that stuff… TV and streaming and YouTube and blah, blah… A lot of stuff has changed from when in those glory years.  So, in my mind, I think that no different than then it could have been better. No different than now it can be better.”

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Bobby Labonte recently reached a major milestone

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The former NASCAR driver was well-known during his prime in the sport. However, it might have taken way too long for him to be finally recognized for all of his achievements on the racing track. With NASCAR celebrating its 75th year anniversary this year, Labonte was added to the 75 greatest drivers of all time list.

Bobby Labonte, a 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, boasts a career spanning about two and a half decades. His victories are many, beginning with a win at the esteemed Coca-Cola 600 in 1995. This was a prelude to future successes at iconic events, including the Brickyard 400 and the Southern 500.

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Moreover, Labonte made history by becoming one of the first drivers to clinch both Xfinity Series and premier series championships. This achievement, along with his victories across different series, firmly cements Labonte’s place in NASCAR’s rich history.