FANTASY NASCAR Racin

NASCAR driver who compiled 18 victories and 20 poles over his 18-year career. Neil Bonnett began his NASCAR career as a protégé of 1983 Winston Cup champion Bobby Allison, working on the team's cars. He later became part of the famous "Alabama Gang" that included himself, Red Farmer and the Allison family: Donnie Allison; brother Bobby; and, later Bobby's son Davey. Bonnett's NASCAR career would sputter at the start. In 1973 he attempted both races at Talladega; but missed the field on both occasions. In 1974 he again attempted to get in the field in both Talladega races; and this time he was successful. Bonnett would qualify driving a 1972 Chevy. He'd break an oil line 50 laps into the race and finish 45th. Bonnett raced many years before he ever ran the full season and was competitive in the points standings. It took until 1978 before Bonnett ever ran a full season. Of course claiming two wins in 1977 might of had a hand in Bonnett getting noticed and owners having confidence in his ability. He would win at Richmond VA and Ontario CA in 1978 driving the #5 Dodge, crew chiefed by Harry Hyde and Owned by Jim Stacy. In 1978 he went win-less but was close on several occasions. 1979-1982 Bonnett would only race part time before returning to run all the races in 1983. However racing part

time didn't mean Bonnett wouldn't collect any checkered flags. In 1979 he would win three times. He'd get wins at Atlanta, Dover and Daytona July race and 1980 he claimed two wins; once at Pocono and once at Talladega. In 1981 he once again would win three times while as in the previous two years he had only run in 22 of 31 races. He'd wheel the #21 Purolator Ford to victories at Atlanta and Dover; and he'd also claim a win at Darlington in the Southern 500. After three wins in 1982 driving for the Wood Brothers; he would carry them to victory in 1982 in the World 600 at Charlotte. After driving for the wood

Brothers since 1979, Bonnett would depart for RahMoc Enterprises wheeling the #75 Hodgdon Chevy. He would once again pull into victory lane at the World 600; then he'd get another win at Atlanta and finish in sixth in the points. Even though Bonnett had a good season; he was lured away by Junior Johnson to high dollar sponsor Budweiser and to be a team mate for Darrell Waltrip in the #12 Bud Machine. He went win-less in his first season there. 1985 saw Bonnett grab two wins early in the season and be in the hunt for the points chase; but consistent finishes all season long saw Waltrip win the Championship

while Bonnett would finish a career best fourth. Bonnett would miss one start in 1986; but he would claim one win at Rockingham. Rumor was he felt he was playing second fiddle to Waltrip. So at the end of the season Bonnett put on his walking shoes; left Johnson and went back to drive for RahMoc Enterprises in 1987. The season was disappointing; but 1988 was see a great improvement as they won two races this season. They pairing produced wins at Richmond and at Rockingham; the second and third races of the season. Little did anyone know that the Rockingham win would be Bonnett's last. On April 1, 1990, Neil Bonnett suffered a life- threatening crash during the TranSouth 500 at Darlington, South Carolina when his car

hit the water barrels in front of pit road drivers-side first. Left with amnesia and dizziness, Bonnett retired from racing and turned to television, becoming a race color commentator for TNN, CBS Sports, and TBS Sports, and hosting the TV show Winners for TNN. However, Bonnett still desired to continue racing. In 1992, he began testing cars for good friends Dale Earnhardt and car owner Richard Childress. Cleared to race again in 1993 and upon Earnhardt's suggestion, Childress gave Bonnett a ride for the 1993 DieHard 500 at Talladega Superspeedway which was numbered 31 and sponsored by GM Goodwrench. But his comeback race was marred by a crash in which his car spun, became airborne, and crashed into the spectator fence. He was uninjured and called the rest of the race

from the CBS broadcast booth after being cleared at the infield care center. He would also start the final race of the 1993 season in Atlanta, but he dropped out after just three laps. The reason the team gave for removing the car from the race was a blown engine; however, he was teamed with points leader Earnhardt, and the car was retired to assist Earnhardt in winning the season's championship. Earnhardt needed to maximize his finishing position, and by Bonnett quitting the race he was assured of those three championship points. That was Bonnett's final cup start of his career. Bonnett secured a ride and sponsorship for at least six races in the 1994 season with car owner James Finch, including the season opening Daytona 500, for Phoenix Racing. But on February 11, 1994, during the first practice session for the 1994 Daytona 500, Bonnett's car suffered a right front tire failure in turn #4. He lost control

of his Chevrolet on the track's high-banked corner, swerved onto the track apron, and then up the steep bank before crashing into the wall nearly head on. Bonnett was taken to nearby Halifax Medical Center, but he had died on impact. It's ironic how such close friends Dale Earnhardt Sr and Bonnett were; and often went hunting and fishing together; Ironic because both drivers would be killed at almost exactly the same spot on the track with an impact of almost the exact angle - and die from a basal skull fracture; dying only seven years apart. Some info from Wikipedia

Fantasy NASCAR Racing

LAWRENCE NEIL BONNETT - 07/30/1946 - 02/11/1994