The trophies Alan had in that garage closet were put there by Gerry. We had to remove everything from the shop that was a personal item of Alan's. It was taken to his home. This took place approximately a month to maybe six weeks after the plane crash. All that stuff, including the lawn mower had been at the shop. That little sticky note that was pinned to his driver's suit was written by me. I had completely designed that particular driver's suit and the only time it was ever worn was that Hooter's 500 Championship race. We had that suit hanging in the closet of his office at the shop. I was the only person who knew the significance of that one suit and I wrote that note and placed it in the pocket of the uniform. I did that a couple days after his death.
@@Stapleton42 the championship trophy was in his office at the shop. He had nothing displayed at his house. He had a room on the main floor at his home that turned into a storage room, most normal families would have it as a large office, but we filled with overflow items, he had no place to put them at the shop. His house was not covered with racing stuff, in fact, if you were to have entered the home, unless you opened the doors to that room full of unorganized racing stuff, you'd never know that anyone affiliated with NASCAR lived there. He was very contemporary and had it decorated as such. He only lived there about two years prior to death, he had an apartment until then. His racing life was displayed and kept at the shop. We had a lot of stuff stored up on the second-floor mezzanine that was above the offices.
@@JonJeffords I will one day. I have not been back since his funeral and that was the only time I'd ever been to his stomping grounds. I did come up to several of the truck races at the Milwaukee Mile, but never ventured over in that direction. For many years I wanted to bury that portion of my life into the past. Only since the HOF induction, have I opened up. Honestly, the way the team began to be torn apart, after his death, broke my heart. I gave everything I had to keep it running, including my own financing (my mother even came and helped me in the office writing checks to our vendors). I didn't want us to skip a beat, but it became an impossible task. Geoff's people were not of the same make as the people Alan had surrounded himself with and it all crumbled.
I don’t think a lot of people realize just how amazingly impressive Kulwicki winning the championship in ‘92 as a driver/owner really was. His talent and his intelligence was so far ahead of the times. To me, one of the most impressive accomplishments in all of sports history. Just my opinion 🤷♂️
@misterhipster9509 Sorry to say, but that may be a little stretch. Sadly sounds like you are belittling his accomplishment and somewhat his unfortunate and untimely death. Just my acessment and opinion on your comment. Hopefully I'm wrong
Today would be Alan Kulwicki's 70th birthday! I am extremely grateful for those who have stepped up to preserve Alan's legacy. His story is one I think anybody can learn something useful from to apply in their own life. I am very excited to get the upcoming Hometown History Tour video of Alan's early days ready for you all to see. This video was filmed on that day of recording but I decided to make the Trophy Room its own video since this particular location was not there during Alan's early career in Milwaukee area, although you will see some photos from this location in that upcoming video! Help history grow and hit the thumbs up and subscribe button! stapletonautoworks.com
@Stapleton42 Aw, how cool. Yes, Alan was no kid when he went to NASCAR. Paid his dues in the lower ranks of Midwest racing. I don't remember, or didn't even know of him from those days. Very much look forward to further coverage. Thank you very much!
Being from Wisconsin this hits harder then alot of your videos. Alan was the bridge from when Rusty, Mark Martin, Dick Trickle, and others were running ASA and Wisconsin tracks, to Matt Kenseth. Alan was one of my early idols in racing. I'm glad you are helping to keep his story alive and well. Alan will always be the last independent racer to win a NASCAR championship.
I’ve lived in the Milwaukee area for 23 years and have driven by Alan Kulwicki Park a million times, but I always thought they just named the park after him. I had no idea the pavilion/museum was back there I’ll visit now thanks to you!
Alan was my Father's favorite driver, mine was Davey Allison. After 1993 I started cheering for Mark Martin. Honestly something big in the sport was lost after 1993 in my opinion. Polish victory lap and the engineering background always made my Dad so proud to watch Alan. Thank you Mitchell and Logan, your videos touch soo many great memories.
Absolutely loved this. AK is the reason my family got into racing. Another good video to make would be one about Dick Trickle. Another tragedy. From his accident as a kid to his last day could be a movie. AK is gone but he will never be forgotten. You doing these videos will help that tremendously as well. I'm from Wisconsin and know what Alan Kulwicki and Dick Trickle meant to all of us. What I would give to just have 1, 15 minute conversation with AK. Thank you for this video!
@@Stapleton42 Amazing job done by the two of you as usual🙌 Agree a piece on Trickle would be a great idea. Grew up watching him race and something on him would be the cherry on top of all the great work you have already done!
@Stapleton42 there is alot of information about Dick at the Wisconsin International Raceway, in Kaukauna Wisconsin. It was one the tracks he absolutely dominated. Also it's one of the most unique short tracks you will ever see. Please reach out to them. All of the big names in 80's and 90's Nascar came through there. Kyle Petty even had Adam come up here and race because of how difficult the track is
This is where I grew up. Alan raced at Hales Corners speedway. Dated a gal who was the flag girl and radio personality in Milwaukee. Your insights take the videos to the next level. Thank you b
I've been looking everyday for this series. Thank you so very much. I was living in Houst Tx. when Alan lost his life but so very much admired the man because he built and set up his own cars and he set up his cars with a 4ft. level and a plumb bob while other people in the garage snickered and laughted. Alan was the real deal all the way. I know live one hour north of the park and museum. I will find out when they are open and pay my upmost respects. You and Logan are totally AWESOME.
Thank you for coming here to tell Alan Kulwicki's story. I waited in a line of hundreds to express my sympathy to his dad and stepmom at his funeral. What a sad, sad time. We were very proud of him here. It's kind of amazing how this state has been home to so many NASCAR drivers, including 2 champions. Marcis, Trickle, Kulwicki, Bickle, the Sauters, Kenseth, Menard and more. Mark Martin lived here for a time. Maybe we had to learn about oversteer and understeer driving rear wheel drive cars in the snow back in the olden days. But NASCAR drivers have not come from neighboring states so it must so something else. Keep up the good work!!
Another beautiful job mitchell. I was a huge Alan Wiki fan. Prior to his death my daughter's bought me a number 7 Ford Thunderbird called a wooden oooden.. it was a hand-carved hand-painted replica of Alan's car. I guess right after they were able to purchase this NASCAR SmackDown on the Creator because it wasn't an officially licensed product.. I've attempted to do research on the Creator and I can find absolutely nothing. The reason I'm making this inquiry is because if they don't have one I'd be honored to give this to the museum. It is incredible it was carved out of a block of wood. Even the tires and wheels were created out of wood..
Thank you for keeping AK alive for generations to come. I remember watching him race and unfortunately hearing and seeing the news of his death. He was a pioneer in the sport when he was alive and still today. We will never know the questions on how many more races and championships he might have won. However to me knowing he never had any kids is sad. Once again great video. Love all the hard work and miles you put into each one. Have a Merry Christmas.
Thank you for creating this video on Alan. I was a fan of his when he raced in the ASA series and then when he moved up to NASCAR. His tragic death was devastating to so many of us that were his fans. He was a true racer and an inspiration to so many!
Alan Kulwicki was a hell of a race car driver. Not a driver but he worked, set his cars up, etc himself. Thanks so much for all of your videos brother. Keep up the great work 👍🏁
In October 1992 I visited several of the race shops in the Charlotte area. The first sign I saw when I turned on to Victory Lane from Morehead Road, was the sign for Alan Kulwicki's race shop. The building immediately east of it was Wallace Racing used then by Kenny Wallace. The building immediately south of it was Bobby Allison Racing. Seeing the sign again sure brings back good memories. Thank you.
First off shout to you because a lot of your content wouldn't even get 10 minutes on TV. Hooters always cared about Alan in the downtown Atlanta location i got sat at the booth with the blown up photo of him just smiling. The Georgia racing Hall of fame has some neat Alan artifacts
Thank you for sharing this and doing such a deep dive on Alan as a driver but as a man. I’ve lived in the Milwaukee area my entire life. I was 12 when Alan passed away and I was just getting into NASCAR then. It was of course incredibly heartbreaking he died so young but I am so thankful for his life story. How he ultimately won the championship as an owner / driver in such a close points race… it was truly a championship run for the ages. Appreciate this greatly!
This is extremely interesting, I forgot he had no living relatives. Seeing his old shop would be amazing! Thanks for keeping Old NASCAR and Old legends alive. You know what would be real cool? Having Geoff Bodine show you around the old shop…. As he remembers it when he took over.
In August of 1993 I visited a friend that lived in Concord. One of the things we did was check out Alan's shop. We couldn't go in, but I took a picture of the sign out front and the building. I still have that picture. RIP Alan. Gone way too soon.
I was celebrating my 19th birthday when I heard the news of his passing. Wasn’t a huge fan of AK but I liked him and #7. Respected the hell out of him and what he had accomplished. So this video was amazing and can’t wait for the rest of the series. You do amazing work and love everything you post. Thanks and keep up the amazing work.
I don't believe he would have won another Winston Cup. The tide was already turning in favor of multi-car teams. Those who knew Alan best don't believe he would have been willing to expand to a second or third car. He could have won several more races, but I think 1992 was the last opportunity he had to win a championship.
A greaet show. So sad to lose anybody that's in sports at an early age. Thank you for bringing up his memory and bring it before the public on his birthday. God bless you stay safe 👍👍👍👍
1992 was the first season I watched NASCAR. The season finale was the week before my 11th birthday. I hand-picked Alan as my favorite driver. I cried like a baby the whole day he died and I thought it was a really cruel April Fool's joke. I am in a Kulwicki facebook group, I have had a couple fellow fans/members send me stuff of his, I have a pretty decent collection and I was able to get a few die-casts after he died, and I have the Hall of Fame shirt and hat as well, to help keep his memory alive. I met Peter Jellen at Texas 5 years ago, he was Alan's hauler driver and gas man on race days. Nicest guy. Asked him what Alan was like. He said, away from the car, regular guy. At the track, very intense and focused. Said driving the hauler around Bristol was the hardest thing he'd ever done. Thanks for posting this! Feel like I'm Alan's biggest fan but I know I hardly am. Just a fan who was young when he died (and I thought 38 was so old when he died...I'm past that age now) and just a fan who tries to keep his memory alive.
Thanks for posting! I became a Alan Kulwicki fan when i started getting into NASCAR One of these days i would love to visit the Park . When i visit Milwaukee in 2013 the Milwaukee historical Society had a Alan Kulwicki " A Champion’s Story" exhibit . i sure must of the stuff is now in the park.
I grew up near Hales Corners Speedway which unfortunately is no longer were Alan raced. And I was there at the church the day of his funeral .☹️I still look for things of his , and cherish what have collected over the years. Even been at the Hooters restaurant Greenfield and the McDonalds that displayed his stuff.😁I have been in that pavilion and wander then go home and be inspired 👍😁
I’ll never forget the news of him passing in a plane crash. It hit me hard. Very emotional. Couldn’t wait to see what he was going to do as a defending champ.
Another great video you two. Another sad time in NASCAR history That's back in the day when it was very hard to come up with NASCAR diecast in small towns
Brilliant, what a legend of a driver and as you mentioned this is an important story seeing his legacy ended with him. Looking forward to seeing the hometown video.
Thank you so much for making this video Garrett. I live 4 miles from the Brooks pavilion. Alan's story is such an inspirational one. The little guy beating the corporate giants. His early career was probably more impressive than his NASCAR career, but hasn't been shown until now. You have no idea how much I appreciate you doing this.
These kind of videos are always great. Especially living so far away there it’s nice to be able to “visit” with you and learn so much about it. Appreciate everything you guys do.
i think some of those clowns who do a polish victory lap today just do it to do it. They do it for their own personal exposure. I could be wrong but i doubt it.
Yeah I don’t think all of them even know who Alan is anymore. It’s sad how many of the younger ones have no understanding of history. Us real ones know though.
I was a huge Alan Kulwicki fan, still miss him. I’m a Ford blue oval guy but, not gonna lie, I’m a little pissed at whoever it was that turned down a donation to the park.
Excellent video Mitchell, once again doing an incredible job. I was fortunate enough to visit the Brooks Pavillion on April 1, 2023 and see it in person. Thanks for doing what you do!
I was there in 1992 at Bristol when it all happened, and in the grandstands that morning when the hauler left. I was 10 years old and that memory will never, ever fade. He was my favorite driver and I'd visited him at autograph sessions and pit walks many times, he greeted me by name every time, and I still have all of the Christmas and Birthday cards he sent me over the years. When he won Bristol in 1991, my dad and I found him in the pits afterwards to congratulate him. That was the second time he let me sit in his race car, and I remember him taking the time to put the steering wheel on and show me what all the switches do. He was always such a friendly and wonderful hero for me to look up to. I still have every single piece of memorabilia I ever collected, and there's a Polaroid of us on my desk from the Bristol Hooters autograph party. In 2011, a few weeks before the anniversary of losing him, my son Alan was born. Kulwicki's memory lives on forever in my heart. Thank you for this. I need to make it up to the museum someday.
Thank you for doing this, greatly appreciated. Being from Kaukauna where he ran in the late 70's and early 80's. I was there to see him run but was just a kid, followed his career through Cup and was saddened to hear what had happened. I have been able to make it to the park a few times, hopefully this video will get more people to want to see the park and learn about Alan. Looking forward to the other videos you have of Alan. Be great if you could make it to a race at WIR sometime
Thank you thank you so much for another wonderful video. It breaks my heart every time I think about what might have been with Alan and Davey Allison in their bright futures. I had just talked to Alan on the telephone a few days before his passing in reference to buying the rear bumper off of his Atlanta car, which was severely damaged in a crash. I had just started collecting NASCAR sheet metal at the time and would have loved to have had this added to my collection and he told me when the car was disassembled that I could be able to buy it, unfortunately that day never came to pass. In later years, I grew to know Paul Andrews and heard the wonderful stories of how Alan was every day. RIP Allen...
Alan was my favorite driver of all time. I'm left handed, and my birthday is December 14, I'm Wisconsin Proud. R.I.P. my friend. I cried watching this like I cried when I found out he passed. He did it his way.
I’ve heard stories that Alan was difficult to work with, I can understand why he was like that, he wanted perfection, the list of people who worked for him is tremendous, Paul,Andrews, Ray Evernhan, Danny Glad, Tony Gibson, just to name a few. I have been a fan of his since his early days in cup, I have a die cast of every one of his cars and tons of memorabilia, I recently sold some diecsst I bought at a tag sale to one of his cousins, I was humbled to know she was giving them to her son to appreciate. I agree with you 100% Mitch that his story deserves to be told . PS I’m a big fan of your channel and look forward to seeing your videos
Alan is one of my heroes, and to watch this was a pretty emotional experience. I have quite a bit of AK memorabilia including some of the same items (photos, prints, cars, etc.) in those display cases. Now that I live in Indianapolis, I plan of visiting Greenfield in the near future. Thank you so much for doing this, and have a great holiday and a happy and safe new year! Oddly enough, I was "like" number 792 for this video.
I live 10 miles from the park and have yet to see it...I have been to his grave...I used to deliver sod to the cemetery back in the mid 80's...I started collecting 1/64 cars back in 1991...I now have over 1500 cars and I have 14 different cars of Alan's...Truthfully I was never a fan of his because he drove a Ford...Now knowing how crummy Ford was towards him after he died....I am glad I am a CHEVY guy....I always respected Alan...I cheered when he won the Championship...I remember that race like it was yesterday...So many things happened in that race...Pettys last race....Gordons first race...The first time Good year used yellow lettering...Both Buick and Oldsmobile last race...6 different drivers could mathematically win the championship...I admire that he did it his own way...
Just imagine what guys like him and davey and adam petty coulda accomplished if they hadnt been taken so soon not gonna lie i teared up watching this. Great job guys n keep up the good work
@@Stapleton42 most definitely with his engineering background id think he would have been a major player in the R&D side of things and made major changes.
You weren't the only one. I can remember watching Alan race in the Red White and Blue series are KK and talking to him in the pits after. He never turned away a fan.
This was amazing. I was a lil knee high gremlin when he passed, between dale and Alan i wanted to race stock cars, some of the greatest people in life unfortunately move on beyond the stars way to soon. Thank you for these videos
Took watching this a bit in to realize that you're the same guy and gal that covered the Hydroplane and Race Boat Museum near Seattle. Wow, you get around! Kudos. LOVED the Thunder Boats from childhood. Especially up to the switch to turbine power. Thank you, you really made an excellent video about those long-gone days. Me being a life-long southeastern Wisconsin resident, I watched Alan Kulwicki's NASCAR career with much interest. Did not know about this place.
Thank you John! Yes we have made a lot of videos about racing history. Check out the channel page video list I bet you'll be interested in some of the other ones too!
@@Stapleton42 Thank you very much! Just subscribed. Maybe see if Texas is as proud of T. Lab. and B. Lab. as Wisconsin is of Alan Kulwicki. Oops, just saw you have something on that already...
You nailed it again with another very cool video! As always, thank you for preserving our NASCAR history! Love it that you always surprise me with another driver!
@@ryanh-c7i you are spot on. That garage was filled with people who did not survive in Alan's world. There was no one tougher to work with or more demanding. You could go into the bathrooms inside the garage area and in the toilet stalls, find plenty of negativity towards Alan scratched on the walls. He was well respected but not well liked. The race team was a revolving door. We had plenty not make it two weeks and I remember one guy lasting until noon on day one of his employment. The survivors became his best friends who understood him. There was no excuse you could have to miss work. One guy told Alan that his grass was three foot tall, and he needed a few hours to go home and mow it. Instead, Alan sent the guy who cut the grass at the shop over to that employee's home and had the grass cut. His employees who made it more than just a few months, meant everything to him.
Great Video. Being from Wisconsin I saw Alan race the short tracks around before going down south. I still have personalize license plate on my truck with 7ALANK. Trying to keep his memory alive!!
Another great video > great job Mitch & Logan > i met Geoff Bodine @ Homestead in the pits a friend of mine asked me to ask Geoff if he would pose in a picture with her >> he said no problem >> he's a real nice guy .
Again, awesome video.... looking forward to the Hometown History Tour as well. Appreciate the effort of you both to document all this before it is lost.
What was one of the most amazing things about Alan was he was his own engineer, set up his own car very hands on owner operator/ driver/ champion. Absolutely a man of men !!!
Friend of mine met Alan when we were kids. He gave him a ride in a limo with him and some hooters girls. Than he autographed his cast he still has it to this day. It also has Daveys signature on it
Awesome video Mitch. What Alan and his team accomplished was incredible. First class individual. Pretty disappointed in Ford Motor Company though not wanting to contribute.
First of all, thank you for all the videos. I’ve been subscribed for a while really enjoyed some of the vintage NASCAR content really like the exhaust content just might be odd, but do you know where someone can get their hands on some boom tube exhaust have looked places tried to research it out, but I don’t know how you were able to get your hands so many any information would be great or if you’re interested in getting rid of one of yours thank you
Great video! It's amazing to discover that these places exist for us to visit. Most of us were kids when these events occurred, and we never knew there were locations where we could pay our respects. I wish there was something like this for Davey, but that was 30 years ago when he passed. It really was a whole different era before the internet.
It would be cool to have something like this for Davey too. I never really thought about that. I would assume his possessions are still with his wife and children
I think NASCAR produced a segment where his wife discussed how they donated Davey’s organs to different people after his death. NASCAR during this era was really special, especially as a kid raised in the South.
Was at the September Dover race in 92 when Alan started from the pole and crashed out mid way through the race. He was 278 points back following that race. The next week he would begin the biggest comeback in Nascar history. RIP AK.
I said it before, i'll say it again. U guys are bad to the bone with these vids, The best of the best on the youtubes. You guys are my heros, from the hustle to the in depth history lessons. 💪🍻
Being from Wisconsin, as was Alan, I'm a huge Kulwicki fan. He was the definition of class. I also like the Kulwicki Driver Development Program that finds aspiring drivers with adverse backgrounds to compete in a season long race for the Kulwicki Cup. Drivers are handpicked down to just seven drivers.
I followed NASCAR when I was a kid (was after Alan passed away). I fell out of the sport a long time ago. However, knowing the story of Alan Kulwicki is fascinating to me. I need to make a trip to there at some point.
I never got to meet Alan but I do attend the car show ever year at Kulwicki park. I have lived in the Milwaukee area since 1971, but never got involved in racing or Corvette's until 2007.He had quite a future ahead of him, that was cut short.
Awesome to see the F.R.R.C. 1979 champion trophy. That's the Fox River Racing Club Championship Trophy from my home track W.I.R. in Kaukauna Wisconsin. 🏁 another great video buddy 👍
Sorry, got to 13:30 in and can't watch this guy anymore. Too shifty seeming. And he should not have said what he was retired from. That's not going to endear him to everybody. Thank you very much for covering Alan, Wisconsin was very proud of him!
The trophies Alan had in that garage closet were put there by Gerry. We had to remove everything from the shop that was a personal item of Alan's. It was taken to his home. This took place approximately a month to maybe six weeks after the plane crash. All that stuff, including the lawn mower had been at the shop. That little sticky note that was pinned to his driver's suit was written by me. I had completely designed that particular driver's suit and the only time it was ever worn was that Hooter's 500 Championship race. We had that suit hanging in the closet of his office at the shop. I was the only person who knew the significance of that one suit and I wrote that note and placed it in the pocket of the uniform. I did that a couple days after his death.
Cal, come to Wisconsin and we'll get you a red carpet tour of the Brooks Pavilion at Kulwicki Park.
Interesting! Did he not keep any trophies or racing memorabilia at his house? Where was the championship trophy kept at the time of the crash?
@@Stapleton42 the championship trophy was in his office at the shop. He had nothing displayed at his house. He had a room on the main floor at his home that turned into a storage room, most normal families would have it as a large office, but we filled with overflow items, he had no place to put them at the shop. His house was not covered with racing stuff, in fact, if you were to have entered the home, unless you opened the doors to that room full of unorganized racing stuff, you'd never know that anyone affiliated with NASCAR lived there. He was very contemporary and had it decorated as such. He only lived there about two years prior to death, he had an apartment until then. His racing life was displayed and kept at the shop. We had a lot of stuff stored up on the second-floor mezzanine that was above the offices.
@@JonJeffords I will one day. I have not been back since his funeral and that was the only time I'd ever been to his stomping grounds. I did come up to several of the truck races at the Milwaukee Mile, but never ventured over in that direction. For many years I wanted to bury that portion of my life into the past. Only since the HOF induction, have I opened up. Honestly, the way the team began to be torn apart, after his death, broke my heart. I gave everything I had to keep it running, including my own financing (my mother even came and helped me in the office writing checks to our vendors). I didn't want us to skip a beat, but it became an impossible task. Geoff's people were not of the same make as the people Alan had surrounded himself with and it all crumbled.
I don’t think a lot of people realize just how amazingly impressive Kulwicki winning the championship in ‘92 as a driver/owner really was. His talent and his intelligence was so far ahead of the times. To me, one of the most impressive accomplishments in all of sports history. Just my opinion 🤷♂️
I agree 100%
On the other hand, it could be said Alan used up all his luck winning the championship, not to belittle his accomplishment.
So Very True and underrated
@misterhipster9509 Sorry to say, but that may be a little stretch. Sadly sounds like you are belittling his accomplishment and somewhat his unfortunate and untimely death. Just my acessment and opinion on your comment. Hopefully I'm wrong
If I recall correctly, in 1992 Kulwicki only had a $1M budget and somehow managed to beat teams with $3M-$5M budgets.
Today would be Alan Kulwicki's 70th birthday! I am extremely grateful for those who have stepped up to preserve Alan's legacy. His story is one I think anybody can learn something useful from to apply in their own life. I am very excited to get the upcoming Hometown History Tour video of Alan's early days ready for you all to see. This video was filmed on that day of recording but I decided to make the Trophy Room its own video since this particular location was not there during Alan's early career in Milwaukee area, although you will see some photos from this location in that upcoming video! Help history grow and hit the thumbs up and subscribe button!
stapletonautoworks.com
Great job love your chanal and content , thank"s for sharing all these story"s !!! Keep up the great work !
Fantastic video, thanks!
Incredible work once again. Thanks for everything you do
@Stapleton42 Aw, how cool. Yes, Alan was no kid when he went to NASCAR. Paid his dues in the lower ranks of Midwest racing. I don't remember, or didn't even know of him from those days. Very much look forward to further coverage. Thank you very much!
Being from Wisconsin this hits harder then alot of your videos. Alan was the bridge from when Rusty, Mark Martin, Dick Trickle, and others were running ASA and Wisconsin tracks, to Matt Kenseth. Alan was one of my early idols in racing. I'm glad you are helping to keep his story alive and well.
Alan will always be the last independent racer to win a NASCAR championship.
Thank you, I agree with you 100%.
I’ve lived in the Milwaukee area for 23 years and have driven by Alan Kulwicki Park a million times, but I always thought they just named the park after him. I had no idea the pavilion/museum was back there I’ll visit now thanks to you!
Glad to help, it’s a really nice place!
Alan was my Father's favorite driver, mine was Davey Allison. After 1993 I started cheering for Mark Martin. Honestly something big in the sport was lost after 1993 in my opinion. Polish victory lap and the engineering background always made my Dad so proud to watch Alan. Thank you Mitchell and Logan, your videos touch soo many great memories.
2 things that was devastating to watch was Mike Helton saying we lost Dale in turn 4, and Alan's hauler leaving Bristol.
I agree😢
The announcer asked everyone to please stand till Alan's hauler left the track.😇😇😇
All the heavy hitters of NASCAR are long gone.
Thank you Mitchell and Logan. I was never a Ford fan but I admired how great of an engineer/driver Alan was.
Absolutely loved this. AK is the reason my family got into racing. Another good video to make would be one about Dick Trickle. Another tragedy. From his accident as a kid to his last day could be a movie. AK is gone but he will never be forgotten. You doing these videos will help that tremendously as well. I'm from Wisconsin and know what Alan Kulwicki and Dick Trickle meant to all of us. What I would give to just have 1, 15 minute conversation with AK. Thank you for this video!
thanks man we are glad you're here! Definitely want to do a Trickle video someday
@@Stapleton42
Amazing job done by the two of you as usual🙌
Agree a piece on Trickle would be a great idea. Grew up watching him race and something on him would be the cherry on top of all the great work you have already done!
@Stapleton42 there is alot of information about Dick at the Wisconsin International Raceway, in Kaukauna Wisconsin. It was one the tracks he absolutely dominated. Also it's one of the most unique short tracks you will ever see. Please reach out to them. All of the big names in 80's and 90's Nascar came through there. Kyle Petty even had Adam come up here and race because of how difficult the track is
This is where I grew up. Alan raced at Hales Corners speedway. Dated a gal who was the flag girl and radio personality in Milwaukee. Your insights take the videos to the next level. Thank you b
Thank you for the support, we appreciate you!
I grew up watching Alan racing in Kaukauna Wisconsin at KK, now known as Wisconsin International Raceway.
I've been looking everyday for this series. Thank you so very much.
I was living in Houst Tx. when Alan lost his life but so very much admired the man because he built and set up his own cars and he set up his cars with a 4ft. level and a plumb bob while other people in the garage snickered and laughted.
Alan was the real deal all the way.
I know live one hour north of the park and museum. I will find out when they are open and pay my upmost respects. You and Logan are totally AWESOME.
Thank you Scott!
Thank you for coming here to tell Alan Kulwicki's story. I waited in a line of hundreds to express my sympathy to his dad and stepmom at his funeral. What a sad, sad time. We were very proud of him here. It's kind of amazing how this state has been home to so many NASCAR drivers, including 2 champions. Marcis, Trickle, Kulwicki, Bickle, the Sauters, Kenseth, Menard and more. Mark Martin lived here for a time. Maybe we had to learn about oversteer and understeer driving rear wheel drive cars in the snow back in the olden days. But NASCAR drivers have not come from neighboring states so it must so something else. Keep up the good work!!
Another beautiful job mitchell. I was a huge Alan Wiki fan. Prior to his death my daughter's bought me a number 7 Ford Thunderbird called a wooden oooden.. it was a hand-carved hand-painted replica of Alan's car. I guess right after they were able to purchase this NASCAR SmackDown on the Creator because it wasn't an officially licensed product.. I've attempted to do research on the Creator and I can find absolutely nothing. The reason I'm making this inquiry is because if they don't have one I'd be honored to give this to the museum. It is incredible it was carved out of a block of wood. Even the tires and wheels were created out of wood..
Thank you for keeping AK alive for generations to come. I remember watching him race and unfortunately hearing and seeing the news of his death. He was a pioneer in the sport when he was alive and still today. We will never know the questions on how many more races and championships he might have won. However to me knowing he never had any kids is sad. Once again great video. Love all the hard work and miles you put into each one. Have a Merry Christmas.
@@ChrisJohnston-w8j thank you Chris. Merry Christmas!
Thank you for creating this video on Alan. I was a fan of his when he raced in the ASA series and then when he moved up to NASCAR. His tragic death was devastating to so many of us that were his fans. He was a true racer and an inspiration to so many!
Alan Kulwicki was a hell of a race car driver. Not a driver but he worked, set his cars up, etc himself. Thanks so much for all of your videos brother. Keep up the great work 👍🏁
Thanks, man! I appreciate that.
In October 1992 I visited several of the race shops in the Charlotte area. The first sign I saw when I turned on to Victory Lane from Morehead Road, was the sign for Alan Kulwicki's race shop. The building immediately east of it was Wallace Racing used then by Kenny Wallace. The building immediately south of it was Bobby Allison Racing. Seeing the sign again sure brings back good memories. Thank you.
We have done a video with Kenny Wallace at the old Wallace Racing building!
First off shout to you because a lot of your content wouldn't even get 10 minutes on TV. Hooters always cared about Alan in the downtown Atlanta location i got sat at the booth with the blown up photo of him just smiling. The Georgia racing Hall of fame has some neat Alan artifacts
Great work sir. So important to document this history.
I’m glad you agree.
Thank you for sharing this and doing such a deep dive on Alan as a driver but as a man.
I’ve lived in the Milwaukee area my entire life. I was 12 when Alan passed away and I was just getting into NASCAR then. It was of course incredibly heartbreaking he died so young but I am so thankful for his life story. How he ultimately won the championship as an owner / driver in such a close points race… it was truly a championship run for the ages. Appreciate this greatly!
Thank you sir. You will love learning about Alans childhood in the upcoming hometown video
This is extremely interesting, I forgot he had no living relatives. Seeing his old shop would be amazing! Thanks for keeping Old NASCAR and Old legends alive.
You know what would be real cool? Having Geoff Bodine show you around the old shop…. As he remembers it when he took over.
I would love to do that. Some of the old AK crew guys have connected me with Geoff but I have not called him yet. I need to.
@Stapleton42 please do. We really need these memories recorded and kept safe for generations.
In August of 1993 I visited a friend that lived in Concord. One of the things we did was check out Alan's shop. We couldn't go in, but I took a picture of the sign out front and the building. I still have that picture. RIP Alan. Gone way too soon.
Great job on this video, my Dad took me with up to the Greenfield High-School that day to see Kulwicki when I was a little guy.
@@KTitus wow that’s cool! Do you have any pictures?
I was celebrating my 19th birthday when I heard the news of his passing. Wasn’t a huge fan of AK but I liked him and #7. Respected the hell out of him and what he had accomplished. So this video was amazing and can’t wait for the rest of the series. You do amazing work and love everything you post. Thanks and keep up the amazing work.
Thank you Joe!
No telling how many championships he would have won. Thanks for all that you and Logann are doing
Thank you for being here Ross!
I don't believe he would have won another Winston Cup. The tide was already turning in favor of multi-car teams. Those who knew Alan best don't believe he would have been willing to expand to a second or third car. He could have won several more races, but I think 1992 was the last opportunity he had to win a championship.
A greaet show. So sad to lose anybody that's in sports at an early age. Thank you for bringing up his memory and bring it before the public on his birthday. God bless you stay safe 👍👍👍👍
@@stevesidden9584 thank you Steve!
1992 was the first season I watched NASCAR. The season finale was the week before my 11th birthday. I hand-picked Alan as my favorite driver. I cried like a baby the whole day he died and I thought it was a really cruel April Fool's joke. I am in a Kulwicki facebook group, I have had a couple fellow fans/members send me stuff of his, I have a pretty decent collection and I was able to get a few die-casts after he died, and I have the Hall of Fame shirt and hat as well, to help keep his memory alive. I met Peter Jellen at Texas 5 years ago, he was Alan's hauler driver and gas man on race days. Nicest guy. Asked him what Alan was like. He said, away from the car, regular guy. At the track, very intense and focused. Said driving the hauler around Bristol was the hardest thing he'd ever done. Thanks for posting this! Feel like I'm Alan's biggest fan but I know I hardly am. Just a fan who was young when he died (and I thought 38 was so old when he died...I'm past that age now) and just a fan who tries to keep his memory alive.
Thank you both for brightening my day, and bringing a tear to my eye!
We appreciate you!
Thanks for posting! I became a Alan Kulwicki fan when i started getting into NASCAR One of these days i would love to visit the Park . When i visit Milwaukee in 2013 the Milwaukee historical Society had a Alan Kulwicki " A Champion’s Story" exhibit . i sure must of the stuff is now in the park.
I grew up near Hales Corners Speedway which unfortunately is no longer were Alan raced. And I was there at the church the day of his funeral .☹️I still look for things of his , and cherish what have collected over the years. Even been at the Hooters restaurant Greenfield and the McDonalds that displayed his stuff.😁I have been in that pavilion and wander then go home and be inspired 👍😁
I’ll never forget the news of him passing in a plane crash. It hit me hard. Very emotional. Couldn’t wait to see what he was going to do as a defending champ.
Another great video you two.
Another sad time in NASCAR history
That's back in the day when it was very hard to come up with NASCAR diecast in small towns
Brilliant, what a legend of a driver and as you mentioned this is an important story seeing his legacy ended with him.
Looking forward to seeing the hometown video.
Thank you so much for making this video Garrett. I live 4 miles from the Brooks pavilion. Alan's story is such an inspirational one. The little guy beating the corporate giants. His early career was probably more impressive than his NASCAR career, but hasn't been shown until now. You have no idea how much I appreciate you doing this.
Thank you Jeff! Btw my first name is Mitchell not Garrett lol
@Stapleton42 I'm sorry. I knew that. Don't know why I got it confused
These kind of videos are always great. Especially living so far away there it’s nice to be able to “visit” with you and learn so much about it. Appreciate everything you guys do.
What a trip down memory lane. Thx Mitch
Thank you Dave
Another great video. Alan did it the right way. He was a tough competitor.
5:01 absolutely crazy - downright sick
Great video. What a fitting tribute to a true legend
As a nascar fan thank you guys so much for documenting all of the great history of this sport 👍🏻👍🏻😊
We have all of our family events at this park. This pavilion is for rent and the people who run it are awesome to deal with.
The fact that drivers do a 'Polish Victory Lap' every time is a testament to AK's legacy!
Great effort, many thanks!
i think some of those clowns who do a polish victory lap today just do it to do it. They do it for their own personal exposure. I could be wrong but i doubt it.
Yeah I don’t think all of them even know who Alan is anymore. It’s sad how many of the younger ones have no understanding of history. Us real ones know though.
I've done it in every race win of my life.
Alan was a great champion. A shame he never got to enjoy his hard-earned success nearly long enough. I am glad this place exists for people to see.
I was a huge Alan Kulwicki fan, still miss him. I’m a Ford blue oval guy but, not gonna lie, I’m a little pissed at whoever it was that turned down a donation to the park.
Excellent video Mitchell, once again doing an incredible job. I was fortunate enough to visit the Brooks Pavillion on April 1, 2023 and see it in person. Thanks for doing what you do!
Thank you so much for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed the video.
I was there in 1992 at Bristol when it all happened, and in the grandstands that morning when the hauler left. I was 10 years old and that memory will never, ever fade. He was my favorite driver and I'd visited him at autograph sessions and pit walks many times, he greeted me by name every time, and I still have all of the Christmas and Birthday cards he sent me over the years.
When he won Bristol in 1991, my dad and I found him in the pits afterwards to congratulate him. That was the second time he let me sit in his race car, and I remember him taking the time to put the steering wheel on and show me what all the switches do. He was always such a friendly and wonderful hero for me to look up to. I still have every single piece of memorabilia I ever collected, and there's a Polaroid of us on my desk from the Bristol Hooters autograph party.
In 2011, a few weeks before the anniversary of losing him, my son Alan was born. Kulwicki's memory lives on forever in my heart.
Thank you for this. I need to make it up to the museum someday.
Wow that’s amazing
Oh FINALLY!!! lol Captain Bob was one of my biggest sponsors in my racing career. Such a great guy.
Thank you for doing this, greatly appreciated. Being from Kaukauna where he ran in the late 70's and early 80's. I was there to see him run but was just a kid, followed his career through Cup and was saddened to hear what had happened. I have been able to make it to the park a few times, hopefully this video will get more people to want to see the park and learn about Alan. Looking forward to the other videos you have of Alan.
Be great if you could make it to a race at WIR sometime
Thanks man. We definitely want to do more Wisconsin stuff. Running a race at slinger is on my bucket list 😂
awesome video love the nascar history video from back in the good ol nascar days miss those days
Thank you thank you so much for another wonderful video. It breaks my heart every time I think about what might have been with Alan and Davey Allison in their bright futures. I had just talked to Alan on the telephone a few days before his passing in reference to buying the rear bumper off of his Atlanta car, which was severely damaged in a crash. I had just started collecting NASCAR sheet metal at the time and would have loved to have had this added to my collection and he told me when the car was disassembled that I could be able to buy it, unfortunately that day never came to pass. In later years, I grew to know Paul Andrews and heard the wonderful stories of how Alan was every day. RIP Allen...
Wow. Man I would love to have a piece of one of his cars to display one day
@@Stapleton42 They are out there, but they want way more than what I can even think about paying....Keep up the awesome work..Merry Christmas y'all...
Another great video, thank you, Logan and Mitchell, for all of your work.
Thank you, we appreciate it!
Alan was my favorite driver of all time. I'm left handed, and my birthday is December 14, I'm Wisconsin Proud. R.I.P. my friend. I cried watching this like I cried when I found out he passed. He did it his way.
Great job once again!
I appreciate that!
I’ve heard stories that Alan was difficult to work with, I can understand why he was like that, he wanted perfection, the list of people who worked for him is tremendous, Paul,Andrews, Ray Evernhan, Danny Glad, Tony Gibson, just to name a few. I have been a fan of his since his early days in cup, I have a die cast of every one of his cars and tons of memorabilia, I recently sold some diecsst I bought at a tag sale to one of his cousins, I was humbled to know she was giving them to her son to appreciate. I agree with you 100% Mitch that his story deserves to be told . PS I’m a big fan of your channel and look forward to seeing your videos
Thank you Scott 💪🏻
Amazing film...lots of trophies that brought back memories because I was there for many of them at slinger speedway...keep up the great work!!
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Alan is one of my heroes, and to watch this was a pretty emotional experience. I have quite a bit of AK memorabilia including some of the same items (photos, prints, cars, etc.) in those display cases. Now that I live in Indianapolis, I plan of visiting Greenfield in the near future. Thank you so much for doing this, and have a great holiday and a happy and safe new year!
Oddly enough, I was "like" number 792 for this video.
I am so glad you enjoyed the video! I hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday season.
I live 10 miles from the park and have yet to see it...I have been to his grave...I used to deliver sod to the cemetery back in the mid 80's...I started collecting 1/64 cars back in 1991...I now have over 1500 cars and I have 14 different cars of Alan's...Truthfully I was never a fan of his because he drove a Ford...Now knowing how crummy Ford was towards him after he died....I am glad I am a CHEVY guy....I always respected Alan...I cheered when he won the Championship...I remember that race like it was yesterday...So many things happened in that race...Pettys last race....Gordons first race...The first time Good year used yellow lettering...Both Buick and Oldsmobile last race...6 different drivers could mathematically win the championship...I admire that he did it his own way...
Just imagine what guys like him and davey and adam petty coulda accomplished if they hadnt been taken so soon not gonna lie i teared up watching this. Great job guys n keep up the good work
NASCAR would be way different. I could see Alan in an executive role post career
@@Stapleton42 most definitely with his engineering background id think he would have been a major player in the R&D side of things and made major changes.
You weren't the only one. I can remember watching Alan race in the Red White and Blue series are KK and talking to him in the pits after. He never turned away a fan.
@kainslance he seemed like a really down to earth guy for sure
So cool to show the pavilion. Also I share a birthday with AK. Great job Mitch & Logan!
This was amazing. I was a lil knee high gremlin when he passed, between dale and Alan i wanted to race stock cars, some of the greatest people in life unfortunately move on beyond the stars way to soon. Thank you for these videos
Thanks man 💪🏻
Took watching this a bit in to realize that you're the same guy and gal that covered the Hydroplane and Race Boat Museum near Seattle. Wow, you get around! Kudos. LOVED the Thunder Boats from childhood. Especially up to the switch to turbine power. Thank you, you really made an excellent video about those long-gone days. Me being a life-long southeastern Wisconsin resident, I watched Alan Kulwicki's NASCAR career with much interest. Did not know about this place.
Thank you John! Yes we have made a lot of videos about racing history. Check out the channel page video list I bet you'll be interested in some of the other ones too!
@@Stapleton42 Thank you very much! Just subscribed. Maybe see if Texas is as proud of T. Lab. and B. Lab. as Wisconsin is of Alan Kulwicki. Oops, just saw you have something on that already...
I remember watching the Underbird win the Championship! Then hearing in the news that he had crashed near Bristol. Great job you all do!
Happy birthday Alan you was a legend and would’ve been even more
Great job! Can't wait to see the hometown history
You nailed it again with another very cool video! As always, thank you for preserving our NASCAR history! Love it that you always surprise me with another driver!
Thank you man these videos rock so much history behind every video you do keep the good content coming
Thank you, I appreciate the support!
Alan is 1 of those guys you couldn't find ANYONE in the garage that didn't like and respect him
Like and respect are very different. I’m sure there are lots of people who didn’t like him but you’re dead on about respecting him.
@@ryanh-c7i you are spot on. That garage was filled with people who did not survive in Alan's world. There was no one tougher to work with or more demanding. You could go into the bathrooms inside the garage area and in the toilet stalls, find plenty of negativity towards Alan scratched on the walls. He was well respected but not well liked. The race team was a revolving door. We had plenty not make it two weeks and I remember one guy lasting until noon on day one of his employment. The survivors became his best friends who understood him. There was no excuse you could have to miss work. One guy told Alan that his grass was three foot tall, and he needed a few hours to go home and mow it. Instead, Alan sent the guy who cut the grass at the shop over to that employee's home and had the grass cut. His employees who made it more than just a few months, meant everything to him.
another awesome video very happy to see it was very interesting and the last part made my eyes water.
Thank you lyn!
Great Video. Being from Wisconsin I saw Alan race the short tracks around before going down south. I still have personalize license plate on my truck with 7ALANK. Trying to keep his memory alive!!
Thanks for watching make. Appreciate you for keeping the memory alive!
*Mark.
Another great video > great job Mitch & Logan > i met Geoff Bodine @ Homestead in the pits a friend of mine asked me to ask Geoff if he would pose in a picture with her >> he said no problem >> he's a real nice guy .
Again, awesome video.... looking forward to the Hometown History Tour as well. Appreciate the effort of you both to document all this before it is lost.
What was one of the most amazing things about Alan was he was his own engineer, set up his own car very hands on owner operator/ driver/ champion. Absolutely a man of men !!!
Definitely!
Friend of mine met Alan when we were kids. He gave him a ride in a limo with him and some hooters girls. Than he autographed his cast he still has it to this day. It also has Daveys signature on it
Wow
Awesome video Mitch. What Alan and his team accomplished was incredible. First class individual. Pretty disappointed in Ford Motor Company though not wanting to contribute.
First of all, thank you for all the videos. I’ve been subscribed for a while really enjoyed some of the vintage NASCAR content really like the exhaust content just might be odd, but do you know where someone can get their hands on some boom tube exhaust have looked places tried to research it out, but I don’t know how you were able to get your hands so many any information would be great or if you’re interested in getting rid of one of yours thank you
thanks man!!
Great video! It's amazing to discover that these places exist for us to visit. Most of us were kids when these events occurred, and we never knew there were locations where we could pay our respects. I wish there was something like this for Davey, but that was 30 years ago when he passed. It really was a whole different era before the internet.
It would be cool to have something like this for Davey too. I never really thought about that. I would assume his possessions are still with his wife and children
I think NASCAR produced a segment where his wife discussed how they donated Davey’s organs to different people after his death. NASCAR during this era was really special, especially as a kid raised in the South.
A lot of Davey's memorabilia is at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega,Alabama.
Was at the September Dover race in 92 when Alan started from the pole and crashed out mid way through the race.
He was 278 points back following that race.
The next week he would begin the biggest comeback in Nascar history.
RIP AK.
Another trip down memory lane. Thanks Mitchell and Logan.
Thank you, we enjoy bringing these stories to light!
Great video, didn’t know the pavilion existed! Alan did it man, he climbed that mountain! Thanks 👍👍
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I said it before, i'll say it again. U guys are bad to the bone with these vids, The best of the best on the youtubes. You guys are my heros, from the hustle to the in depth history lessons. 💪🍻
thank you Brian!
Thank you for these videos! You do a great job with them!
And thank you for being so interactive with your subscribers. 'One-way' social media is not very rewarding to the commenters.
You’re very welcome. I appreciate you taking the time to comment!
Thanks for sharing this video. I met Allan after he had won the 1992 Championship at the Toys for Tots at the Armory in downtown Mooresville, NC
Awesome coverage and excellent information and history, thanks for sharing, all the best to yous and your loved ones
thank you Donald!
Thanks for the video & detailed history of Alan’s career. Surprised that Ford didn’t donate anything.
Thank you Stephen
Outstanding video, can’t wait to see the rest of the maybe 3hrs of AK…🏁
Thanks for sharing about Alan's history
You’re welcome!
Being from Wisconsin, as was Alan, I'm a huge Kulwicki fan. He was the definition of class. I also like the Kulwicki Driver Development Program that finds aspiring drivers with adverse backgrounds to compete in a season long race for the Kulwicki Cup. Drivers are handpicked down to just seven drivers.
I followed NASCAR when I was a kid (was after Alan passed away). I fell out of the sport a long time ago. However, knowing the story of Alan Kulwicki is fascinating to me. I need to make a trip to there at some point.
I never got to meet Alan but I do attend the car show ever year at Kulwicki park. I have lived in the Milwaukee area since 1971, but never got involved in racing or Corvette's until 2007.He had quite a future ahead of him, that was cut short.
Awesome to see the F.R.R.C. 1979 champion trophy. That's the Fox River Racing Club Championship Trophy from my home track W.I.R. in Kaukauna Wisconsin. 🏁 another great video buddy 👍
Thanks for doing this video. Love Special K!
really like how you are keeping the history alive. great videos
Love the effort and attention to detail you put into all of your videos. Thank you!
Thank you, we do put a lot of effort into it!
Allen was the ultimate little man that made it to the top of the mountain
Great job Mitchell, enjoy all your videos. Looking forward to the hometown Kulwicki video.
You are saving NASCAR history
Sorry, got to 13:30 in and can't watch this guy anymore. Too shifty seeming. And he should not have said what he was retired from. That's not going to endear him to everybody. Thank you very much for covering Alan, Wisconsin was very proud of him!
You always do a fantastic job love all your content👍
I appreciate it!
this was another great video made by you guys it is a shame not more was done for Alan for ppl to find more about his life
I agree. We are working to change that now though!
It's crazy that this is 10 minutes from my house and I had no idea this even existed.