Slugger Labbe
Encyclopedia
Richard Labbe also known as Slugger Labbe, is an American
NASCAR
crew chief currently employed by Richard Childress Racing
and working on the #27 Menards
Chevrolet Impala
driven by Paul Menard
.
and introduced to racing at a young age. His father, Ray, worked on cars in the NASCAR Busch North Series and often brought his son to the events. In 1984 at the age of 15, Labbe began work on the crew of a Late Model stock car team. Two years later he began working in the NASCAR Busch North Series.
to compete in NASCAR’s Busch South Series. Working as a mechanic for NASCAR Busch Series driver Tommy Houston
, the team finished second in the NASCAR Busch Series South championship.
In 1991, Labbe moved into the NASCAR Nationwide Series, working with driver Terry Labonte
. In three seasons the team captured five victories. When Labonte made the move to NASCAR’s Sprint Cup in 1994, Labbe joined assuming the duties of front tire changer and mechanic for his No. 5 team with Hendrick Motorsports
. Labbe became the car chief in his second year with the organization and helped them win the Unocal pit crew championship and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in 1996.
In 1998, Labbe joined Robert Yates Racing (RYR) when he was offered the crew chief position for the No. 28 car driven by Kenny Irwin, Jr. He led the team for 29 races. Irwin, Jr. earned the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year that year. Labbe remained at RYR through 2000.
In September 2001, Labbe accepted a position with Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
becoming the crew chief for the No. 15 car driven by Michael Waltrip
. The two year union produced three wins including the 2003 Daytona 500
.
In 2005, Labbe moved to Evernham Motorsports
and served as crew chief for Jeremy Mayfield
. The team won the race at Michigan International Speedway
that year and qualified for a berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Returning to Yates Racing in 2006, Labbe worked with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Dale Jarrett
for the first 20 races of the season. Labbe missed 4 races that season due to a suspension handed down by NASCAR for an illegal sway bar mount. Labbe spent the first half of 2007 with Sterling Marlin
at MB2 Motorsports but then headed to High Point, North Carolina
and Bill Davis Racing
for the second.
Labbe began the 2008 season working with Formula One
Champion Jacques Villeneuve
helping him with the switch from open wheel to NASCAR before sponsorship fell through. taking on a coaching role with NASCAR newcomer Scott Speed
in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards, the Camping World Truck Series and the Sprint Cup Series. Labbe coached Speed to his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win at the spring event at Dover International Speedway
. Later they earned their first pole at Bristol Motor Speedway
that fall.
In 2009, Labbe moved to TRG Motorsports leading David Gilliland
in the team’s first season in NASCAR Sprint Cup.
In 2010, he was crew chief for the Richard Petty Motorsports car driven by Paul Menard in his fourth full-season of Sprint Cup.
In 2011, Paul and Slugger departed the financially struggling RPM team, to go race at Richard Childress Racing as a fourth team with the number being 27 and Paul bringing the family's namesake with him. Paul will also bring his owners points with RPM and will have a 23rd place in the points for the first five races, locking him in. On July 31 Paul Menard won his first career NSCS race at the Brickyard 400. Guiding Paul through the grueling 160 lap, 400 mile race from 15th on lap 1 to 1st at the finish line. Slugger Labbbe and Paul Menard got to go to victory lane, spray wine, and kiss the bricks. As his crew chief, Slugger and their pit crew have assisted Paul in showing the racing world that The No. 27 Menards Chevrolet crew is a force to be reckoned with.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
crew chief currently employed by Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing
RCR Enterprises, LLC, doing business as Richard Childress Racing, is a NASCAR team based in Welcome, North Carolina, and is owned and operated by former driver Richard Childress...
and working on the #27 Menards
Menards
Menards is a chain of home improvement stores in the Midwestern United States.The privately held company headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin has 262 stores in 13 states: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, North Dakota, and...
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
driven by Paul Menard
Paul Menard
Paul Menard is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #27 Menards Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing and runs part-time for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the Nationwide Series. He is the son of Menards founder John Menard, Jr., whose company is his sponsor...
.
Early life
Labbe was born in Saco, MaineSaco, Maine
Saco is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 18,482 at the 2010 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, as well as General Dynamics Armament Systems , a subsidiary of the defense contractor General Dynamics...
and introduced to racing at a young age. His father, Ray, worked on cars in the NASCAR Busch North Series and often brought his son to the events. In 1984 at the age of 15, Labbe began work on the crew of a Late Model stock car team. Two years later he began working in the NASCAR Busch North Series.
NASCAR career
In 1989, Labbe moved to Hickory, North CarolinaHickory, North Carolina
Hickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
to compete in NASCAR’s Busch South Series. Working as a mechanic for NASCAR Busch Series driver Tommy Houston
Tommy Houston
Tommy Houston, is a retired NASCAR Busch Series' drivers. Over his career, Houston and Jack Ingram became known as the pair journeymen drivers that helped that series grow throughout the 1980s and early 1990s....
, the team finished second in the NASCAR Busch Series South championship.
In 1991, Labbe moved into the NASCAR Nationwide Series, working with driver Terry Labonte
Terry Labonte
Terrance Lee Labonte is a semi-retired NASCAR driver who occasionally drives in the Sprint Cup Series when called upon and is a two-time Winston Cup and IROC champion. He currently drives the #32 U.S. Chrome Ford for FAS Lane Racing. Labonte was introduced to the sport through his father, who had...
. In three seasons the team captured five victories. When Labonte made the move to NASCAR’s Sprint Cup in 1994, Labbe joined assuming the duties of front tire changer and mechanic for his No. 5 team with Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports , originally named All Star Racing, is a current American auto racing team created in 1984 by Rick Hendrick. The team currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Chevrolet Impalas...
. Labbe became the car chief in his second year with the organization and helped them win the Unocal pit crew championship and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in 1996.
In 1998, Labbe joined Robert Yates Racing (RYR) when he was offered the crew chief position for the No. 28 car driven by Kenny Irwin, Jr. He led the team for 29 races. Irwin, Jr. earned the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year that year. Labbe remained at RYR through 2000.
In September 2001, Labbe accepted a position with Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. was a NASCAR-related organization located in Mooresville, North Carolina, United States working to continue the legacy of Dale Earnhardt. It was originally formed in 1980 by seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt who died in a crash on the closing lap of the 2001...
becoming the crew chief for the No. 15 car driven by Michael Waltrip
Michael Waltrip
Michael Curtis Waltrip is a semi-former professional race car driver, co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, and a published author. He is the younger brother of three-time NASCAR champion and racing commentator Darrell Waltrip. Waltrip is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500; having won the race in...
. The two year union produced three wins including the 2003 Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
.
In 2005, Labbe moved to Evernham Motorsports
Evernham Motorsports
Richard Petty Motorsports is a two-car NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race team owned by seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty, Douglas G. Bergeron and financial company Medallion Financial. The team was founded as Evernham Motorsports in 2000, was renamed Gillett Evernham Motorsports in 2007 after...
and served as crew chief for Jeremy Mayfield
Jeremy Mayfield
Jeremy Allen Mayfield is a former NASCAR driver who last competed in 2009 due to legal troubles and an indefinite suspension by NASCAR. Prior to 2009, Mayfield drove cars for the Sadler Brothers, T.W. Taylor, Cale Yarborough, Michael Kranefuss, Roger Penske, Ray Evernham, Bill Davis, and Gene Haas...
. The team won the race at Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...
that year and qualified for a berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Returning to Yates Racing in 2006, Labbe worked with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Dale Jarrett
Dale Jarrett
Dale Arnold Jarrett is a former American race car driver and current sports commentator known for winning the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship...
for the first 20 races of the season. Labbe missed 4 races that season due to a suspension handed down by NASCAR for an illegal sway bar mount. Labbe spent the first half of 2007 with Sterling Marlin
Sterling Marlin
Sterling Marlin is a retired NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver. He is the son of late NASCAR driver Coo Coo Marlin. He is married to Paula and has a daughter, Sutherlin, and a son, Steadman, who sometimes races in the Nationwide Series....
at MB2 Motorsports but then headed to High Point, North Carolina
High Point, North Carolina
High Point is a city located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. As of 2010 the city had a total population of 104,371, according to the US Census Bureau. High Point is currently the eighth-largest municipality in North Carolina....
and Bill Davis Racing
Bill Davis Racing
Bill Davis Racing was a racing team that participated in all three of NASCAR's top divisions until 2009.The team had run Toyota-branded stock cars and trucks in both the Camping World Truck Series and Sprint Cup Series since 2007. Dodge, Ford, and Pontiac previously backed the team...
for the second.
Labbe began the 2008 season working with Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
Champion Jacques Villeneuve
Jacques Villeneuve
Jacques Joseph Charles Villeneuve, , is a Canadian musician and automobile racing driver. He is the son of the late Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve, and is the namesake of his uncle...
helping him with the switch from open wheel to NASCAR before sponsorship fell through. taking on a coaching role with NASCAR newcomer Scott Speed
Scott Speed
Scott Andrew Speed is an American race car driver. Formerly a driver for the Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 team, he made his Formula One race debut at the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix; becoming the first American to race in F1 since Michael Andretti in 1993...
in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards, the Camping World Truck Series and the Sprint Cup Series. Labbe coached Speed to his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win at the spring event at Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned race track located in Dover, Delaware, owned by, and serving as the corporate headquarters of, Dover Motorsports, Inc. It is co-located with a harness racing track, Dover Downs, and shares the complex with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino...
. Later they earned their first pole at Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961...
that fall.
In 2009, Labbe moved to TRG Motorsports leading David Gilliland
David Gilliland
David Gilliland is a NASCAR driver and he currently drives the #34 Taco Bell Ford Fusion for Front Row Motorsports. He is the son of former Cup and West Coast driver Butch Gilliland. He was born in Riverside, California....
in the team’s first season in NASCAR Sprint Cup.
In 2010, he was crew chief for the Richard Petty Motorsports car driven by Paul Menard in his fourth full-season of Sprint Cup.
In 2011, Paul and Slugger departed the financially struggling RPM team, to go race at Richard Childress Racing as a fourth team with the number being 27 and Paul bringing the family's namesake with him. Paul will also bring his owners points with RPM and will have a 23rd place in the points for the first five races, locking him in. On July 31 Paul Menard won his first career NSCS race at the Brickyard 400. Guiding Paul through the grueling 160 lap, 400 mile race from 15th on lap 1 to 1st at the finish line. Slugger Labbbe and Paul Menard got to go to victory lane, spray wine, and kiss the bricks. As his crew chief, Slugger and their pit crew have assisted Paul in showing the racing world that The No. 27 Menards Chevrolet crew is a force to be reckoned with.