Neil Bonnett is a former NASCAR driver who rose to prominence in 1970 because of his fast driving skills. Born from Hueytown, Alabama, he was ranked as 47th all-time NASCAR Cup winner. Apart from car racing, he also ventured into films, such as Stroker Ace and Days of Thunder. He is also a TV show host and a color commentator until he died in 1994. In 1990, he suffered from a severe brain injury from a car crash which led to his death.
Bonnett’s Humble Beginning
Bonnett is a natural talent in car racing, as he began his NASCAR career under the mentorship of 1983 Winston Cup Champion, Bobby Allison. After his first racing experience, he worked with the Allison family and was included in the infamous “Alabama Gang”. In 1977, he drove for Harry Hyde-Jim Stacy Racing for the Capital City 400, which earned his first victory.
However, he stopped working with the company by the following year because the company is starting to experience financial problems. Since Bonnett has grown tired of Stacy’s leadership and his tendency to miss payments, Bonnett dropped out and later on joined the Wood Brothers Racing. The Wood Brothers helped Bonnett to redeem himself by winning three more championships.
| Born | 30 Jul 1946 |
| Died | 11 Feb 1994 (47 years) |
| Nationality |
United States
|
| Team History | |
Wood Brothers Racing
|
1979 - 1984 |
The Car Crash and His Death
In 1990, Bonnett encountered a life-threatening situation, where he crashed during the TranSouth 500. After the car crash, he suffered from amnesia, which forced him to retire from both his car crash and TV commentator commitment. He was buried in the Forest Grove Memorial Gardens in his hometown.
Memorial to Bonnett’s Death
Due to Bonnett’s influence in NASCAR, his life was featured in the 3: The Dale Earnhardt, Sorry, which was portrayed by Sean Bridgers. When his colleague, Dale Earnhardt, won the 1998 Daytona 500, he dedicated his victory to Bonnett and Rodney Orr, a driver who died with Bonnett. A number 51 car was also designed in remembrance of Bonnett by Finch.
Achievements:
- 1997 National Motorsports PressAssociation Hall of Fame inductee
- 1998 Top 50 NASCAR Greatest Drivers
- 2001 International Motorsports Hallof Fame inductee
