Editor's note: Terry Labonte has been writing regular diaries this Winston Cup season for ESPN.com. This week, Terry's diary has been written by his daughter, Kristy, who offers a unique perspective to her father's victory at Darlington.

Sundays for me are usually the same when I'm at the racetrack, but the last Sunday of August this year was an experience I'll never forget.

My mom and I were getting ready for the Southern 500, and it was the typical hot and humid day Darlington, S.C., gives us every year. But this was the last one; there are no more Southern 500s on Labor Day weekend. I wasn't born yet when my dad won his very first race at this history-driven track. I wanted to be at the last one simply because of its past and it'd also be my last chance to be at the very race my dad first won 23 years before.

I told my dad good luck and that I loved him before the race started. I had no doubt in my mind that he'd have a great finish because that's how his 25th racing season has been for him. Now that I'm older, I pay attention to races more. I stood with the sun beating down on me for almost the entire 500 miles.

	Proud family: Terry Labonte is surrounded by daughter Kristy, left, and wife Kim after his Labor Day triumph in the Southern 500.

I always get nervous when Dad races, but the nerves I got with 30 laps to go were different. Under a caution, he pulled into his pit stall, letting his team do what it does best. His group of guys amazes me every week. But that Sunday, they seemed to have really come together and were determined to win.

Because of that, Dad won the race off pit road.

From that moment on, I continuously prayed. They needed a win and it was destined to happen this year. With about 10 laps to go, I turned to someone in the pits and jokingly asked where Victory Lane was; I was trying to calm myself down. With one lap to go, I quit pacing and watched the rest of the race. As soon as I saw the checkered flag drop as Dad crossed the start/finish line, I was wiping tears of joy off my face and hugging my mom.

Everyone watched the team celebrate by climbing up the fence on the front stretch. They got Dad back out in front, he did his job until the end and was finally going back to Victory Lane.

I noticed Dad didn't do burnouts, but it was no surprise to me. He is so conservative and humble. A victory lap with the checkered flag in hand meant more to him, anyway. My mom and I, with our sunburned faces and all, ran to Victory Lane as fast as we could.

I couldn't wait to give him a hug. I've been watching my dad race my whole life, but I don't think I've ever been that proud of him. Not only can I say that my dad is a two-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion, but also I can say he won the last Labor Day weekend Southern 500.

As we celebrated in the Winner's Circle -- with champagne, Gatorade and Frosted Flakes everywhere, I never stopped smiling. I watched a lot of drivers and crew chiefs come to congratulate Dad and it made me even more proud hearing everyone say that they couldn't have picked a better guy to win.

Following the Southern 500 win, Dad and his team went to Richmond. Their goal this year was to be one of the top-10 contenders in the point standings. One week after the victory, their wish came true.

Competition is strong in NASCAR, and it usually brings out the aggressive attitudes and bad tempers in some drivers. Dad has been in a four-year slump, but it's all changed in the second-half of this season.

I've never seen my dad get angry enough with another driver to cause a scene after a race. He races because he loves it and he always knows there is next week. "We'll get 'em next time," he says after he's had a bad day. His positive attitude and "laid-back" approach gain respect from other drivers and, hopefully, teach some of them to consider safety before pride.

I know one day, my dad will retire from the NASCAR world. But I think it's safe to say that he has left his mark and can be considered a legend in this great sport. He is such a talented man and has taught me to never give up.

Everyone has tough times, even racecar drivers, but I've learned to keep my head up and continue with life. I'm lucky to say Terry Labonte is my dad, my friend and my role model.

Kristy Labonte, 20, is the daughter of Terry and Kim Labonte. She is a junior at High Point (N.C.) University, studying Business Marketing, and here, reflects on her father's recent victory in the Southern 500.