CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bobby Labonte’s consecutive start streak will come to an end at 704 races.
Labonte is not entered to race this weekend at Kentucky Speedway, which will bring an end to the second-longest active starts streak in NASCAR behind Jeff Gordon’s 705.
Labonte confirmed his status during a chat with fans on the JTG Daugherty Racing website. He has not missed a start since he began racing full-time in the Cup Series in 1993. He’s won 21 races and the 2000 championship.
Kentucky will mark the first Cup race without a Labonte in the field since the 1978 season finale at Ontario. Older brother Terry Labonte has 884 starts. Ricky Rudd holds the NASCAR record of 788.