BILLY  HAGAN

03/22/1932 - 11/13/2007

was a NASCAR driver/owner fielding cars for drivers such as Skip Manning, Terry Labonte, and Sterling Marlin. He himself made three starts in NASCAR's Cup division, finishing eighth in his first start, the inaugural Talladega 500 in a self-owned 1968 Mercury Cyclone.  He did not field another car until 1975, finishing 19th once again at Talladega.  In 1976, he fielded the #92 Stratagraph Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna for Skip Manning, and Manning won Rookie of the Year honors.  In 1976 & 1977 Manning posted 12 Top 10 finishes, with a best at Talladega of third place.  Hagan had a mix of drivers in 1978 with Manning driving 15 events, and upstart driver Terry Labonte running five races.  Hagan liked what he saw in Labonte, and signed him to a full time contract starting in 1979; with Labonte also running for the Rookie of the Year honors.  It was a tough chase for the Rookie title as he also had to compete against such future stars as Harry Gant and Dale Earnhardt Sr.  Earnhardt would edge out Labonte

for the Rookie honors.  Labonte would pair up with Hagan racing full time through 1986.  During that time Labonte would win six races, but he always posted consistent finishes, and be in the hunt for the CUP Championship.  He was crowned the champ in 1984, after finishes of fourth, third, and fifth the previous three years.  Labonte and Hagan split in 1987 as Labonte left to go drive for Junior Johnson.  Sterling Marlin became Hagans driver from 1987-1990.  The duo went win-less but were always in contention for the win as they posted 19 top five finishes.  In 1991 Marlin and Labonte swapped rides; with Marlin moving to drive for Johnson, and Labonte being reunited with Hagan.  The duo didn't have their previous success, and Labonte went win-less, and only posted five Top 5 finishes.  In 1994 Labonte left Hagan to drive for owner  

Terry Labonte 1984 Cup Champ

Sterling Marlin 1990

Rick Hendrick.  John Andretti took over the seat, but with little success.  Hagan closed down before the season ended.  As mentioned Hagan owned the car Labonte won the Cup Championship in 1984, and the pair also won the Southern 500 in 1980.  Labonte was behind the wheel for all of Hagans victories. For his career as an owner, Hagan fielded cars for 547 races over 21 seasons.  His drivers posted six wins and 101 Top 5's.  Some info from Wikipedia

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