While most of the NASCAR world’s eyes were on an instant classic unfolding in Chicago on Sunday, there was other NASCAR action going on involving 2000 Cup champion Bobby Labonte.
Labonte hasn’t competed in a NASCAR race on American soil since 2016, but he’s now competing full-time in the Whelen Euro Series and he’s not doing too bad driving the No. 18 he helped make famous in the Cup Series.
On Sunday, Labonte placed second behind Alon Day in the ELITE 1 Round 8 Final at Tours Speedway in Tours, France.
Labonte was unable to find a way around Day in a four-lap shootout to end the race. His podium finish came after he spun early in the race and a clutch issue forced him out of the ELITE 1 Round 7 race on Saturday.
“It was such a hard race because of the grip level and the degradation of the tires,” Labonte said. “The car changed a lot and the bottom line was always the groove. Alon did a great job holding his line. I got to his bumper but you don’t crash people to win a race. He didn’t do anything wrong. I tried to get him and maybe there was a chance with a few more laps. My team did a great job and today was a good day but first would have been better.”
The only American competing in the series, Labonte is 12th in points with one top five and three top 10s.
The series’ 12-race season is divided into six weekends with races held on back-to-back days.
The season’s last two weekends are Sept. 15-16 (Hockenheim, Germany) and Oct. 20-21 (Zolder, Belgium).
Watch the race’s conclusion below.
https://youtu.be/fvKkyCLaLug?t=1h59m51s