Neil Bonnett

jay · #1 02-05-2008, 09:39 PM

Neil Bonnett began his NASCAR career as a protege of Bobby Allison, working on the team's cars. He later became part of the famous "Alabama Gang" which consisted of all the native Alabama drivers in Nascar at the time. He began driving in NASCAR in 1974 and earned his first victory in 1977 at the Capital City 400 in Richmond, Virginia. He later won back-to-back World 600s and back-to-back Busch Clash victories.
He appeared in the 1983 Burt Reynolds movie Stroker Ace. He also appeared in the film Days of Thunder.
In 1984, Bonnett joined the powerful Junior Johnson team, becoming a teammate to Darrell Waltrip. In 1985, Bonnett had one of his best seasons, finishing fourth in the points standings
Bonnett participated in International Race of Champions (IROC) during three seasons (1979, 1980, and 1984), and finished second twice.
On April 1, 1990, Neil Bonnett suffered a life-threatening crash during the TranSouth 500 at Darlington, South Carolina. 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 Mom and Pop's one of Earnhardt's associate sponsors. But Bonnett's comeback race was marred by a crash in which his car spun, became airborne, and crashed into the specator fence. Bonnett was uninjured and actually called the rest of the race from the CBS broadcast booth. 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 Bonnett was teamed with points leader Dale 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.
Despite the setbacks, Bonnett was encouraged because he had 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. 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 the track's fourth turn. Bonnett's car hit the outside wall nearly head-on. Bonnett was taken to nearby Halifax Medical Center, but he had died on impact. Dale Earnhardt dedicated his 1994 championship win to Neil

Neil's 1993 Talladega crash
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEviE0-ewVA

Tribute Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrhj7dbFUPw

NOVSTORM · #2 02-06-2008, 12:22 AM

HIs autopsy pictures are on the web. I used to have them but when my old computer took a dump I lost everything. Thats what I get for not having a back up.

jay · #3 02-06-2008, 10:05 AM

I heard his autopsy pics were online but i have never looked at them as i fan of Neil's i would rather remember him for his racing from what i heard they are pretty gory

cjw · #4 02-07-2008, 05:25 PM

I heard they were up but then were taken down. Does anyone have a link or have them saved?

Shadowcatcher · #5 02-07-2008, 10:10 PM

As I posted before, I was at Daytona that day shooting in turn 4. The
crash came very early in practice and everyone knew it would be bad.
He died less than 20 yards from where Dale died in 2001. I'm headed up
there Saturday to cover practice and the ARCA 200 and believe me, it's
always on my mind... peace down the road, Neil...