Neils Story

The 1994 season had not yet officially begun, only a hand full test sessions had taken place, when the news came from Daytona that Neil Bonnett had died from injuries sustained in a practice crash for the Daytona 500.

Neil, popular driver and broadcaster, was taking the next step in his comeback effort after three years of recovery from injuries suffered in a 1990 crash at Darlington. Everyone knew how much Neil and Dale Earnhardt loved to hunt and fish, but during a press conference announcing his comeback Neil admitted racing meant much more to him. During Neil's comeback efforts he tested for RCR and was a key part in the development of the new Monte Carlo coming out in 1995. Neil found something during all this testing and he felt he had a great chance at the pole and Daytona 500 in 1994. I guess we will never know what happened to the car that fateful day, but I can tell you that it was not driver error. There are a lot of unanswered questions about the car, but all the answers in the world will not bring Neil back. There are no answers to the question why. The only comforting thought can be that unlike Alan Kulwicki and Davy Allison, Neil lost his life doing what he loved, driving a race car.

Neil's 18 career wins and 20 poles will be remembered. So will his talents behind the microphone and in front of the camera. Most of all Neil will be remembered as a man who gave 100 % to everything. Whether it be his family, hunting, fishing, or his ultimate love, racing. Neil Bonnett was a Racer!

I have so many fond memories of Neil and his family and I wanted to share some of them with you. I started to follow Neil's career when he was racing in the IROC series. I had never seen such an aggressive driver and I knew right then I meet my racing Hero. Here are some of my favorite pictures that I would like to share with everyone. I will continue to add more pictures on the Memories page as time goes by. Neil was one of a kind and will be missed, but his memories will live forever.

This picture was taken on pit road at Rockingham, NC in 1978. Neil was driving the # 5 AmorAll Stacy/Hyde Dodge.

In 1983 Neil drove the RahMoc-Warner Hodgdon Chevrolet. To this date no one has ever won in the 75 car besides Neil Bonnett. After a three year stint in the Junior Johnson car, Neil would return to the 75 car and add two more victories for the RahMoc team. This picture was taken in victory lane after the 1983 World 600. Neil is one few drivers to ever win back to back World 600 races.

When Neil was asked to join the powerful Junior Johnson team in 1984, Junior knew Neil would not give way to any other driver on the race track. This included his team mate Darrel Waltrip. Neil was one of the nicest guys you have ever met, but put him in a race car and he was a very fierce competitor. In this picture Neil is passing Darrel on the low side.

More pictures can be found on the Memories Page