Labonte Rejoins JGR As Consultant & Brand Ambassador

Bobby Labonte, seen here in 2013, is now a brand ambassador for Joe Gibbs Racing. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images for NASCAR photo)

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Bobby Labonte, the 2000 NASCAR Cup Series champion, has found his way home to Joe Gibbs Racing.

Labonte, who earned the first of NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Joe Gibbs’ five Cup Series titles, rejoins the organization in a new consulting role that allows him to support the team in multiple facets.

The 59-year-old will largely serve as a brand ambassador for JGR, attending races over the course of the season to participate in at-track sponsor activations and engage with special guests of the team.

Labonte won 21 races during his 11-year tenure behind the wheel of Joe Gibbs Racing’s iconic No. 18, including four victories en route to his lone Cup Series title.

“Joe Gibbs Racing played such a pivotal role in my career, and it has always felt like home to me,” said Labonte. “I am thrilled to be involved with the organization again and look forward to being an asset to their partners and fans.

“Really excited about this opportunity and being able to be an advisor (to the team) in different areas,” he added during FS1’s NASCAR Race Hub. “I had so much success with this team that when Joe and Heather [Gibbs] talked to me about it, it really felt right to take on the position and work with all of them again.”

In addition to his at-track work, Labonte will also provide regular content to JGR’s social media channels and support JGR’s business operations and sales outreach.

“Bobby is a big part of our history and success here at JGR,” said team owner Joe Gibbs, also a three-time Super Bowl-winning head coach from his NFL coaching days with the Washington Commanders. “We are excited to have him in this new role consulting across several areas of our operations. He will be a tremendous asset to our partners in sharing his knowledge and passion for racing as well as educating our guests and fans through appearances and on social media.”

Among Labonte’s career highlights are the 1991 NASCAR Busch (now Xfinity) Series championship, his 2000 Cup Series crown, the 2001 International Race of Champions title, and wins in three of NASCAR’s crown jewel races – the Coca-Cola 600 (1995), the Brickyard 400 (2000), and the Southern 500 (2000).

Labonte was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020.

When not at the racetrack, Labonte will continue in his capacity as a studio analyst for NASCAR on FOX’s weekly Race Hub program, which crossed the 2,500-episode threshold prior to the start of the season.