NASCAR's Ultimate Underdog - Alan Kulwicki: The Underbird
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- Alan Kulwicki, a veteran of the upper midwest short track scene, made a name for himself as a Northern invader in NASCAR in the mid to late 1980's, but by the end of the 1992 season he became one of the most unlikely champions in NASCAR history.
#AlanKulwicki #NASCAR #Underbird
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My favorite driver as a kid ! My dad was a Ford guy. I remember crying with excitement the day he won the championship. After his accident I kinda started pulling for Davy. Then after Davy’s accident I pulled for no one. Till one Dale Earnhardt was coming to a local Chevrolet dealership to sign autographs. We were rushed through the door and out. Dale was barely looking at anyone. He was signing something for you and quickly to the next person. I had a Kulwicki shirt and hat on. Dale Earnhardt looked up at me and asked if I was a Alan Kulwicki fan. I stuttered “Yes Sir”. Dale stuck his hand out and shook mine. He said “ I was too” . I really enjoyed and appreciated your video.
Dale's airplane was just ahead of Alan's on the landing pattern. They even had time to wave to each other while circling, it was a busy day. Dale met Teresa walking through the concourse. She said "It's too bad about Alan." Dale said"What was?" She told him. He said,"No, He is just behind us landing." But when he saw the smoke, he knew the truth. Life is funny that way. I miss his crooked smile.
That's a great story. In many ways, Kulwicki was the antithesis of Earnhardt. Kulwicki was college educated, from the north, had a patient and calculating driving style, and drove a Ford. But greatness knows greatness.
what a story! It's a shame all 3 of them left the world too soon. But they impressed the NASCAR community, and they will forever be legendary drivers!
Awesome story. Thank you so much for sharing. Dale had a heart.
I was a Kulwicki fan and an Earnhardt fan. Actually all of these guys. Somebody said Dale and Alan couldn’t have been more different, but really they were quite a bit alike.Dale built and owned his own Busch cars and Alan inspired a bunch of top guys to start their own teams. Ricky Rudd, DW and even Senior himself (with Steve Park driving). This was all right as NASCAR started outgrowing it’s britches though. This is something that will never happen again.
Alan Kulwicki's "Underbird" was restored to brand new condition after Geoffrey Bodine crashed it at Dover in 1993. A gentleman bought it and completely restored the car to 100% starting grid worthiness and is in a museum at Talladega, I believe.
I think it's really cool how Ford was nice enough to give their blessing to have the Underbird name used.
Edsel and Henry probably knew he would do excellent stuff
i know right, then we have ferrari over here suing deadmau5 for getting his car wrapped lmao, completely shatters my respect for ferrari
Always wonder what NASCAR would have been like through the rest of the 90s if we hadn't lost Alan and Davey ...
Best answer? In the vacuum, stepped in Jeff Gordon. The rest is history.
dale would be 4 time champion of lucky and gorden would be maybe 2 time champion
@@NickyD as a Sr fan i would actually agree cause Davey and Alan were proving to be huge competitors
Imagine Kulwicki in the 7 car, Allison in the 28, and a healthy Irvan in the 4 in 1994. NASCAR lost a ton of talent between 1993 and 1994. Gordon still would have become one of the all-time greats, but may not have accomplished as much. We'll never know.
@@jonforbes9792 yup
'92 was my first year watching NASCAR, and I picked Alan (and Davey) as my favorite drivers. I was an impressionable 11-year old. I cried like a baby when he died, I cried the whole day and thought it was a cruel April Fool's Joke. It almost seemed like history had erased Alan, and I made sure I kept his memory alive. I still buy die-casts I find, I have a Hall of Fame hat and t-shirt. Earlier this year I was in the truck garage at Texas and had the chance to meet Peter Jellen, he was Alan's gasman and hauler driver and I asked him questions about what Alan was like, Peter was a great guy and answered all my questions, it's hard to believe that I'm now as old as Alan was when he died. When you're 11, 38 seems so old...thanks for making this! Well done!
The April Fools thing reminded me of Dale Earnhardt’s first win date, yes he won on April 1st, go and watch @Emplemon’s Dale Earnhardt video
Met him at Sears Point after the race in '92. He had a bad race losing more than 10 places late due to a bad pit call. Walking around I came across the transporters and decided to see if any drivers were around. The only one was Rusty Wallace but Alan Kulwicki was sitting in a car with Paul Andrews talking about the race. Went and joined Rusty's party(he loved his fans. A real funny guy)then came back to where a few people were hanging out hoping Alan would come over. I'm thinking there is no way this man is going to walk over to 6 people after a long day that ended poorly after a 20+(they were in the car talking when I got there and I had been there 20 at least)minute meeting. Well I'll be darn if he didn't get out of the car and walk right over to us and apologize for making US wait! I had to get his autograph and as he was signing my program, I told him we all have bad days just keep charging. He smiled and thanked me.
Miatacrosser you met a legend before he was known as a legend. Thats pretty legendary hahaha
I'm sure it was the little things like that that kept him going. I can only imagine the look on his face hearing that. 👍
Woohoo. You go. He was great
Wow meetings 2 legends in one day.... nice
Man, as I read your comment,i could see him doing it- that's a special memory, my friend
I don't know if this will mean anything to the predominantly US audience here, but Alan Kulwicki winning the Winston Cup in 1992 was akin to Leicester City winning the 2015/16 Premier League title. Virtually nobody put money on both Alan Kulwicki and Leicester City winning their respective championships (I once saw that Leicester City went into the 2015/16 Premier League season 5000-1 outsiders for the title) but the fact that they came out on top in their years of destiny is testimony of great sporting achievements against the odds, superb stuff. It's a real pity and tragedy that Alan Kulwicki was taken from us far too soon, less than a year after his biggest achievement, may he and Davey Allison rest in peace
I remember that season it was insane. And yes I’m American.
Remember this, 70%+ of small aircraft crashes are intentional homicides.
The fact two of them died not even a month apart is very suspicious.
We lost such an opportunity in the 90's. Davey, Alan, and Gordon battling for race wins and championships would've been unbelievably legendary.
I’m from The Netherlands. The most experience I have watching NASCAR is seeing the cars in the background during Logan Lucky. I really only watch WRC when it comes to racing.
But god damn if I’m not addicted to this channel. This is such a great way to be introduced to a motorsport I knew nothing about. Can’t get enough of these NASCAR stories.
Keep it up! Can’t wait to see your channel grow!
If you ever have the chance to go to a NASCAR race here in the States, do it. Even though NASCAR isn't nearly as good now as it used to be, seeing a race in person is still an experience like no other. I'll never forget my time at the Coke 600 last year.
John ‘Juice’ Shipper that’s pretty cool. A person from the Netherlands watching a movie about guys that are pretty much like me other than the law breaking. NASCAR is good racing but it will never beat rock crawling and Rally in excitement for me
Not to overshadow the actual video. It's awesome how polar opposites we are, but ended up in the same place. I grew up on Nascar. I watched races like these and loved the heart of the sport. It has definitely degraded over the years. I got into WRC back when Speed Vision and Speed Channel used to broadcast the races on tape delay. I respect the tenacity and fearlessness of those drivers. Collin McRae, Gilles Panizzi, and Marcus Gronholm were who I watched. Then I went back through the history I learned the origins the Subaru rally team. I learned more about Carlos Sainz. I learned about the Group B era. Its so cool to see racing from someone else's eyes. Just as you said to S1ap. Keep the videos coming. The history is awesome! Lets watch this channel grow!
Bro, not only is it immensely entertaining from a pure motor sports perspective, the layers of complexity and interpersonal drama , the legend, is awe inspiring.
@@bruhbbawallace I go to a lot of NASCAR races and being at the track seeing it in real life never loses that awesome factor. It's so cool.
A story that will never be duplicated, can't be fabricated and will always be remembered. Stay at peace, Alan. You're anything but forgotten, and you're still an inspiration to some (mainly the rest of us that are also too crazy to quit and too determined to keep from losing).
one of his 1992 cars is on display at hooters in las vegas.
that car in Vegas is the actual 1992 Cup winning Underbird.
@@wdtiger Do they let you touch it?
@@rylian21 from what I remember it's just out in the open in the lobby, so you probably could if you wanted to.
When in Vegas I went to Hooters to see the car, honest! My wife never believed me....
@@matthewmcallister8546 ironically, Dale#3 is my 7th cousin too.
The man was a technical expert on every aspect of getting a car in trim. Such a shame that most current drivers don't even know how to add motor oil; let alone build and race a competitive car to a championship.
100% Very True Maybe Ryan Newman, Brad K. comes from real old school racing blood. Now plug ' pay and play 1970 you could buy a ford Cosworth and build an F1 Car Order A 426 Hemi 440 wedge , a 427 / 429 Ford in a Sales Lot Stock car .
@@peterschancel7223 Clint Bowyer based on his job in 2004 at Emporia Ford in Kansas was an auto body guy. Not exactly incompetent at this stuff given the sensors even in the early 2000s.
@@Eibarwoman Interesting Boyer is knocking This year . My comment was not deep enough . Many drivers / families give up a lot to get to any level of Pro Racing. Funny I watched a 3 part series on RUclips about Cale Yarborough on the weekend Great watch He started with the Woods Bros sweeping The Shop. enjoy
Steve Park built cars for DEI in Busch Series I believe. Dale Jr could probably build a car, at least the old style car. He and Kerry built their own late model cars.
@@ethanweeter2732 Great point RANT Time Dale got very little from Dad He earned it . Could have been The Greatest NASCAR Driver in History but France Family wants The Spotlight . Vanilla Jimmy and Jeff win Championships as Junior watches . NASCAR would be much more popular if Junior would have got the Premier Ride. And if Senior and The Witch would have invested more in Dale Junior . Sorry for the Rant .We all Miss Junior and wish him the best
Gotta love his polish victory lap
i know
I would do it, if I was old enough
And now it's Kevin Harvick's thing.
@@tailsnascarfan93 i just started heavily watching this year, but of all the races ive seen on youtube and live... it seems like its just become a NASCAR thing, no? ive seen so many guys do it. doesnt really seem like its anyones signature, just something that most of them do before victory lane
I was in 7th grade in 92/93. We were given assignment notebooks at the beginning of the year to help us keep track of stuff we had to do for classes. I drew a huge #7 on mine, with "Hooters" inside the vertical part of the number, and drew the owls head around the oo in Hooters. I still have it in my box of childhood memories.
Hey that's a perfect keepsake, cuz damn was he supremely talented driver/owner!
One of the best nascar stories bar none, you did an amazing job putting this video together
I agree !!!!!!!!!!!!
For sure. I really liked Allen. He was his own man and did things his way.
Theron Smith RACING couldn't of said it any better myself
This video hit hard because my mom actually knew alan and work on his car when he raced late models in Wisconsin
So Lightning McQueen *isn’t* the first to use the “no tires, just gas” strategy.
Alan would use that strat pretty regularly. He knew how to manage tire wear and drive well on older tires, and would jump people in the pits constantly with fuel only stops. His Bristol wins are excellent examples.
16:48 Lightning Mcqueen - No tires just gas
I grew up in Wisconsin and watched him Race at Slinger & Kaukauna etc. Best Driver and Smartest Driver ever to sit in a Race Car.
ml2trick-T.W That’s awesome! I go to Slinger every now and then. Kulwicki raced there when I was a bit too young to be a serious race fan.
Must have been a wild time, I don't know for sure but my grandpa raced figure 8s at slinger in the 80s before I was born, he probably raced the same nights as alan, he started racing figure 8s in 1984, my dad would later race the 8s and won the 2004 title, I plan on running slinger bees next year aka 4 cylinders
Even though I wasn't born during his time, Alan serves as a inspiration for what I want to do after high school. I want to head to college or go to trade school, while racing in dirt track & starting my race car team all the way to Nascar
I live really close to slinger speedway. Their motto is literally ‘the worlds fastest 1/4 mile oval’. It’s the first thing you see when you pull in :^)
Anderson Speedway is faster
@@GyzmoThaAngelofDeath ok, has it ever pulled a 9 second lap in a sprint car that is purpose built for dirt?
It's heartbreaking that the world never got to see him achieve his full potential.
One of the most iconic paint jobs ever
If Alan was still alive today he would be a legendary team owner and the #7 car would be a famous number, up there with some of the best teams in the sport in my opinion.
His induction in the Hall of Fame says that he is a legendary team owner and that #7 is pretty famous :)
Couldn't agree with you more. No way Dale Earnhardt Sr is a 7 time champion if Alan doesn't crash at Bristol. I've got all the respect in the world for the Intimidator. But Alan was a special gift in the world of stock car racing.
And probably its competition director. It should be highlighted that Kulwicki had a degree in mechanical engineering -- a STEM major racing being unheard of at the time. He would be someone who walked into the garage with a suitcase and technical notes on how to improve the car.
Alan Kulwicki was the first college graduate to win a championship. So yeah, he knew EXACTLY what to do to get his car perfect. Give him a consistent sponsorship deal and enough money to get all the right equipment and he's going to top-5 the entire season.
He’d give Hendrick and Penske a run for their money
The best damn Alan Kulwicki video I've ever seen online, it did the man justice! As a huge Dale Earnhardt fan, I still think Dale would've won his 93-94 championships but both Davey Allison and Alan could've made the up and coming Jeff Gordon's life a living hell in the late 90's early 00's!
94 should have been ernie irvans. Not dales
@@charismatic9904 To honest with you, I absolutely agree with that statement! It just goes to show that the France family will rig it so that Chevy continues to win and not Ford...imho I believe that's why Dodge left NASCAR in the mid to late 70s man.
I was wearing his t shirt in Atl 92 when he won. I’ll never forget that lap as champion
This is why I look up to Alan
This has a kind of "John Bois" feeling
This guy should be doing motorsports on SB Nation! or hell I could listen to S1ap call some old school WCW Matches ;)
7:00 is the exact same as the Randy Johnson intro of the Koo Dae Sung episode of Pretty Good
Jon Bois crowd represent
I was going to say the same ...
You noticed that too? Not as much humor or outright nerdry, but both are great at presenting a dramatic narrative. I'm thinking SBNation should hire him, or that Jon should do a collaborative video or something.
As also being from Wisconsin myself. I love Alan Kulwicki and is easily one of my favorite NASCAR drivers in history.
I watched him in his ASA days as well as Nascar. For those of us from WI thanks for making this video.
0:40 - Most badass poster ever.
That Junior Johnson- Bill Elliot part genuinely had me scared
1992 was the greatest season in NASCAR history.
I was at the September Dover race where Alan crashed out early and was pretty much counted out for the championship.
What an unbelievable run his team went on after that to stay in contention.
This was the best era in NASCAR. Man, do I miss it.
No kidding dude!! From 88-94 was some of the best years of watching MASCAR... To bad I didn't get a chance to watch Tim Richmond as well!! But at least watching Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison, Bill Elliott, Mark Martin and (yes even) Dale Earnhardt Sr racing against each other was awesome and amazing to witness/experience!!
Johnson and Bill Elliot is like Ferrari and Schumacher by the sounds of it. And Kulwicki almost sounds like Prost.
Boy dude I couldn't have put it any better than you did!! WOW nice comparison!
As a DIEHARD Ford fan - Alan was one of my favorite drivers - my Dad's too! His all time favorite was David Pearson!
Oh man when I first saw archival footage of Mr Sliver Fox in that beautiful White and Red Ford 21 race car and then Alan Kulwiki/Davey Allison they where amazing drivers, but I also couldn't ignore Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Tim Richmond (so I like both Ford and Chevy, both manufacturers produced some of the best drivers in NASCAR-Winston Cup history)!
2:55 "Alan was a genius, but he paid for it with his personality - he was impatient"
9:35 "Alan is patient. A warrior's greatest weapon is his patience"
Go on
I cought that to and laughed
on the track he was patient. in the garage, he wasnt.
He was patient on track during the race, but not so much with his guys in the garage. Also, that was quote from Ray to drive home how much he clashed with some people who worked for him.
Everything was aimed towards getting the best out of his car and maximizing his results. That meant being patient on the track and impatient in the garage. It fits perfectly together and just emphasizes that he knew what it would take for him to win a race or a championship.
Cetifiably Snuggly Patient as a driver not an owner/mechanic
Super interesting. Never knew about the 4th gear issue at Atlanta
The Thunderbird was probably one of thebest Stock Cars
Fact. Another fact? NASCAR shit all over it on the weekly. All that had to happen is Ford having a good Sunday. Monday morning? Chevy, Pontiac, Dodge, etc., would whine to NASCAR & be given an aero or power adjustment, or taken away from Ford ... ... & Ford would still run like raped apes.
The Taurus was even better in it's first season because it was slightly more aerodynamic than the Chevy Monte Carlo and Pontiac Grand Prix, which gave it another advantage. Nascar worked hard to nerf it a bit for it's first few seasons.
@@jasonrobertsutliff Yup. There is a long list of things FORD stands for as an acronym, but the most applicable one for NASCAR is Fucked On Race Day.
@@DinsdalePiranha67 I know it look at how quickly Bill France Sr in 1970 Forced Mopar and (most significantly) Ford by dumping the big blocks and going to small blocks and restrictor plates to give Chevy, Buick and Pontiac a greater chance at winning races and championships (I mean I like chevy engines, but the Big Block Ford FEs and their Shotgun BOSS 9 and Mopar's Big Block HEMIs where by far better)!!
I had the honor and privilege of seeing how it all started for Mr. Kulwicki working with his dad at Hales Corners 1/4 dirt track. He raced a few times but was doing much, much better on the pavement of Slinger..
Best Kulwicki vid on RUclips, even my Kulwicki tribute vid couldn't come close.
My all time favorite driver. That #7 Hooter’s Ford Thunderbird is still one of the best looking cars in series history. I go back watch his post race interview after he won the championship all the time. It’s always a tearjerker when he says “there will be more races and more championships in the future.” Little did he, or anyone else, know that just 5 races in to the next season, he’d be gone.
Long Live The Polish Prince!
Alan was a damn genius when it came to stock cars. Was one of my favorites growing up and created my favorite race celebration of all time. The Polish victory lap.
To be honest, I was skeptical about watching this. I'm glad I did. Good job! And I miss the old days of Winston Cup. I miss Alan and Davey. Would have been nice to have seen their career bloom. Thank you for posting.
Felt like I lost a friend when he died. Great story telling. Brought back great memories of one of my favorite drivers.
You are correct Slap, Slinger IS the World's fastest 1/4 mile. We race every Sunday......in summer of course. Would love to see a "Slap on Location" from the banks of Slinger. A lot of great drivers still come and race the Nationals there every year.
I was always a bigger fan of Dale, but out of the "other guys" Alan was one of the most fascinating; great video on a great sports champion
Funny how the bullshit "chase" can't provide a decent finish to the season yet here in 1992 there were 6 teams with a chance to win the championship at the last race.
They were trying to fix something that wasn't broken. What was needed was for the newer generation of drivers to actually mature and get going.
NASCAR got into a trap into the late 90s and early to mid 00s. They were living so much on old talent, that they had almost a generation gap of solid drivers. Kulwicki and Bobby Allison are dead, so that generation loses a few rising stars, sure you got a bunch popping up later on but the gap is real. Dale takes on the role of almost an Universal Rival, everyone wanted to beat the Intimidator even while he was getting to the end of of his career.
If Alan and Allison live NASCAR could look very different and the 90s could have been one hell of a brawl for the Cup. Sure Alan might have retired in the 00s as a driver but he'd still be in the garage and maybe leading a team until really we got "BRILLIANT" decisions from above which worked to screw over the sport...
Neil Bonnett explained it best, "When you're hot you're hot, and when you're not you're not." Usually momentum sides with one driver a whole season with little to no resistance, 1992 couldn't make up its own mind!
What about Stewart and Edwards in 2011 tho? That year was the best Chase ever
However what most people forget is that what happened in 1992 was extremely rare. Never before or since did the NASCAR season go into the final race with 6 drivers mathematically able and 3 with a realistic shot at winning the title. There were several times that a driver had a big enough lead that he clinched the championship early leaving the finale totally anti-climatic. I'm not a big fan of the chase either but I can see what they're trying to do.
Zelinkokitsune I’m sure Alan would’ve continue racing up to at least 04 or 05
I literally despise nascar as as sport, but watching these videos is literally wonderful, and a good time despite how I feel on the sport it self, keep up the high quality content
Hate NASCAR for what it is today,not for what it once was.
I'm not going to dislike the people who enjoy it, or enjoyed it in the past, however I simply enjoy Formula 1 more, I am coming from an outside point of view, but from what I see, there isn't as much mechanics, for lack of a better word to people driving in an oval. I'm not going to say there is no skill required to do so, nor am I going to say the people who enjoy it like something that is bad, if they like it, they like it, I simply find just watching cars go in a circle relatively boring. The same argument can be said for formula 1, it's just cars going around a circuit, but I personally like how every two weeks it's a refresher, not the same type of course as well I don't know the NASCAR race schedule, but the point itself hopefully still stands. Just a little after thought, I don't really like how crashing is kind of a really big thing is NASCAR, like it happens quite often from what I've seen, and is kind of glorified I guess, with not just one car crashing but usually a good group crashing.
@@pizzatime3637 The nascar schedule is the most diverse schedule in terms of different tracks then any other series, the package and product are no good though. Hardly any crashes if you actually watch the races because they reduced the horsepower. F1 is no better because V6 turbo is nothing compared to a v10 or v12 screaming engine. F1 has lost its soul.
lolimadethisvid. Huh?
V6 Turbo?
F1 is Hybrid. Has been for a few years now.
There is no fuel fills in the pits anymore. It’s only tire changes.
Being from Wisconsin, I think this story is amazing.
I actually been to Alan's grave in Milwaukee. You gotta know just where to go to find it because it's not easy to find. His marker is on a family stone that's NOT Kulwicki. And his marker is smaller than a post card really. If positions were as we thought, i sadly admit i stood on his grave. Such a small marker for such a big name.
That was a wonderful story! My favorite driver! Great job on this story #underbird4ever
Good video as usual!
Alan is one of my racing heroes. A truly inspirational person and racer. I miss him so much...
Thank you for this video - I have not watched NASCAR for 20 years, but I watched a lot in the 80's and 90's. Some great memories and drivers from that era. Several other drivers died in that period that I remember, and some others survived. I remember watching the Hooters car race many times.
Alan is an inspiration to me big time. His story is really one of a kind. It pushes one to work hard and try harder for everything you do. There is great satisfaction in making big accomplishments on your own. He is the epitome of the American dream
Kulwiki was my favorite driver too. I was really sad when he died. He and Davey Allison, such a huge loss of talent, the sport was never quite the same.
I live 1 hour away from Slinger Speedway... Amazing track to watch in person
He used to get gas from my dad WAY back when. Great guy.
My dad was at that Hooters 500 in ‘92. He sat in the infield because Mike Helton (who used to own Talladega Superspeedway) got him infield/pit passes for that race.
Kulwicki was my guy when I got into NASCAR... and during my roadie days I had put my interest in art to use designing costumes, stage sets, lighting rigs, guitars, (and I've been doing custom cars since jr high), so when I got to meet Alan in '92, I showed him a couple paint livery ideas I had for him just for fun. Imagine my surprise when he called in early '93 and asked if I could put together some fresh ideas for him to take to Hooters when he addresses renewing their contract and he gave me a deadline of the June race in MI... a race he never made it to. Outside of family and a handful of friends as I was drawing them, nobody has seen the work I put in nor will they... because I had a handshake, gentleman's agreement with Alan and thus the artwork is still his as far as I'm concerned.
What are the odds the guy that quit at lunch watched this and had a moment?
Absolutely loved this video!
Who doesn't love the underdog.
Naffan Tait thunderdog. (Days of Thunder reference? Check. Alan Kulwicki reference? Check. Words? One.
underbird*
AK was always fun to watch on the track! there were many who said he could never run a team like he did and amount to anything! Well he just dug in all the harder and proved it could be done! NASCAR just has not been the same without the little guys around. RIP AK
my favorite driver of all time, and i was born in 2004. rest easy alan ❤
Great job on this video! I loved the footage from the Slinger Nationals! It's such a great short track. Alan was a great racer and we lost him too soon.
Three years later and this video still gives me goosebumps. Great video
S1ap you are fantastic at this kind of videos. I'm by no means a NASCAR fan and i just can't enjoy the stage/chase/etc of the new era, but i do have a soft spot about the old purer years and man do i enjoy your work! Please keep this up!
Greetings from Greece
An Underbird that will never rise again.
1993 was the $hittest year for NASCAR. GREAT Vid 👍 💚
What a well made video. Highlights perfectly the man and his team. Nascar suffered its worst losses in 93 two bright stars snuffed out way before their times
Alan Kulwicki will forever be known as the guy who NEVER gave up. He was an inspiration to me at 35 I thought I was done with racing but figured hey if he could do it I could too. I built a drag car over the winter of 92, 93 in NJ and went to race in 93 at the famed E town drag strip. It took until October of 93 but I finally won a race in my class. Later I would go on to win 3 track championships. he will always be my hero.
I was too young when Alan was racing to know this story. Truly remarkable. I hope I'm not the only who found the ending clip emotional.
Hey buddy I did to, this still brings back emotions for me... and I was just seven years old at that time when I watched him race!
You sir have earned yourself a subscriber.
It's occurred to me, Alan Kulwicki crashed in his 125 race before the Daytona 500 in 1992, leaving him to start 41st. He climbed through the field to finish 4th, one of the most underrated Daytona 500 performances perhaps?
Epic video of a person that was hyper focused and acheived the pinnacle of success with a fraction of the budget of the competition! One can only marvel at his accomplishment.
He was the da Vinci of Nascar. I was a Sr fan, but had more respect for Alan's choices. Refusing Junior Johnson, and then methodically climbs passed all odds....it shouldn't have been possible, but his record says it all!
That man was a real one. I see his name every Sunday and one Tuesday on the slinger speedway champion board, no one can replace someone like him who is more experienced with short track racing
Great job on this video. You’re welcome in Wisconsin anytime, and yes Slinger is the fastest 1/4 mile in the world. Nationals at Slinger, Dixieland at WIR and Fest in Lacrosse are all events you should try to see at least once
Me and my two brothers were at The Atlanta 500 race in 1992, the year Alan Kulwicki won The Winston Cup. Bill Elliott came in second. It was Richard Petty's last NASCAR race. It was a great race but Alan Kulwicki died in a plane crash going to the Bristol race. 1992 was a bad year for NASCAR and it was a very bad year for me and my brothers when our Dad died at the age of 52 years old on August 4, 1992.
I am so sorry for your loss, but hey they are in heaven relaxin and chillin and your father will always be in your heart and memories buddy.
Thank you for making this. He was my favorite driver. I remember vividly watching the race in Atlanta with my dad. I lost my dad last year and was thinking of my dad when this showed up in my feed.
I'm actually from Slinger and without your video, I would have never known about Kulwicki. Thanks for such a great video.
I got strong "pretty good" by Jon bois vibes. Great Video! Definitely earned this sub 😋
Thank you so much for posting this video! This brought back great memories. RIP Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison.
RIP AK #7. So incredibly missed.
Grew up on Hueytown, Alabama, but loved Alan because he was the underdog. Got so many dirty looks wearing my Alan shirt around town.
Wow
This is by far the best channel I’ve found on you tube
I’m a big fan
From Australia
I just discovered your videos today. Subscribed immediately. You are doing outstanding work. I've been a NASCAR fan for so long that my first favorite drive was David Pearson. (I was a kid and I liked the #21 car) Long story short, my Dad was a terrible American father. He took me to exactly one baseball game. Nope, Dad and I didn't do the baseball thing, but he took me to more races than I can even begin to remember. I grew up on this stuff. (Thanks, Dad.) I'm loving watching all the videos that focus on the older stuff. This is great. keep it up.
@S1apSh0es
Thank you so much. I didn't know a thing about NASCAR before I started to watch your brilliant videos. Oh man, you make the best videos and I'm now hooked on NASCAR. Thank you times a million. - Dumb Skippy from Perth Western Australia.
I like how you put the NASCAR documentary like how Jon Bois do the Baseball Documentary... Keep on your work mate. Love it.
I was there in 1992. It was a cold morning in Hampton Georgia. I was there with. 2 of my best friends to witness The King Richard Petty's last race. For us the back story was Elliot's win and Kulwicki's championship. This is a great video and I learned even more than being there. I think I've been to one NASCAR race since then, a night race in July at Daytona. That race on that cold day in Hampton Georgia to me was the high point in the NASCAR modern era and has been all downhill since. I haven't even watched a cup race on T.V. in years.
I’ve never been a NASCAR fan but your videos make me feel like I was there for the whole experience.
He was much like Junior Johnson and maybe the last builder,owner, & driver to obtain a high level of success in Nascar's premier series.
The 1992 season deserves a Rush-style movie, it's amazing. And I'm pretty impressed with Alan Kulwicki's story, he's such an admirable guy, so sad to know his final.
Title suggestion
#7 the story of the greatest Underbird
A talented polish driver and a career ending crash
Name a more iconic duo.
You are a great story teller. Keep doing what you're doing. These videos are great, and I can't stop watching!
Great Channel my friend! Very knowledgeable on you NASCAR. Thanks for sharing and hello ad new subscriber from St. Stephen, New Brunswick!
make it two New Brunswick subscribers in one week! Cheers from Moncton!
Hey Reg! Good to meet you! Would you mind checking out my channel to?
Wait. Hooters worked out a deal with Alan Kulwicki on a napkin!? Okay, this man is officially my hero. Sadly I was far too young to enjoy his antics as he raced. As I was sadly indoctrinated to like Dale Earnhart Senior during those times. lol.
So you picked an actual winner dale sr was the best driver on the track any time he was on it
@@jordanwillett8456 I really didn't so much picked him. As it was my grandfather's favorite driver. Alright. I was like 4 when I really started noticing NASCAR at the time. So "Picking the best driver" was not much of a pick. When you are that age.
@@Qardo
I picked dale at about that age because of his all black car it just looked so pardon the pun intimidating out there
I was a Sr fan but that day I was wearing Alan t shirt Sr jacket and new autographed Gordon hat at Atl 92 race. Best race ever
Why is that surprising? Back in the day thats how us men did deals. A beer and a handshake. Ur word was your bond
I'm not even into NASCAR and I friggin love this channel! So many cool stories in NASCAR
thank youuu for this... brought tears and fond memories of my past friends and fans of NASCAR...the camping at the tracks , the trips ., the break downs, the all nighters in the garage. the beer drinking and bench racing . .
I never gave NASCAR a 2nd thought until I stumbled on this channel and now I cannot get enough of these videos. I saw "The Worst NASCAR Race Ever" video and decided to give it a watch and I got hooked IMMEDIATELY.
Thanks, his sponsorship was also not on par with other major teams. I was very fortunate to meet with Alan, the morning after the NASCAR banquet, in the presidential suite of the waldorf Astoria, to discuss his possible availability for 93. Unfortunately 1993 was a sad year for all. In the great Atlanta snowout of March 93, I hung around the garage and helped him a bit as he set the wheelbase and alignment of the car. His team had headed back to the hotel. We almost got snowed in. So I left and he was still working. Great racer and guy, IMO.
This was a really enjoyable vid. Thanks
Side note, old 80's and 90's Nascar was the golden age.