Ty Gibbs spotlights Bobby Labonte at Throwback 276

For the second year in a row, Ty Gibbs is keeping it in the Joe Gibbs Racing family for his Throwback 276 paint scheme at Hickory Motor Speedway.

Last year, the 15-year-old paid tribute to the No. 11 Late Model his uncle JD drove during his formative years as a racer. This weekend, Gibbs will stay with the No. 18 he uses on a weekly basis but will feature team sponsor Interstate Batteries.

Specifically, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs will spotlight the paint scheme Bobby Labonte drove to three victories in 1995. That was the first season Labonte drove for Gibbs and together they won the Coca-Cola 600 and two victories at Michigan International Speedway.

READ MORE: 2018 CARS Tour Throwback 276 paint schemes

Labonte won 21 times in the iconic green and black No. 18, also capturing the 2000 Winston Cup championship in these colors. It was the first owner’s championship for Gibbs at the highest level of NASCAR.

So why is the younger Gibbs using it this weekend?

“Really, it’s just one my favorite cars,” Gibbs said. “We had several picked out but this one was my favorite. It’s cool to have Interstate and (chairman) Norm Miller on the car, too.”

Gibbs is still looking for his first CARS Tour victory this season, but does have a pair of weekly series triumphs at Hickory Motor Speedway.

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