Nerve-Wracking Crashes That Changed NASCAR Forever: Edition 7 – Neil Bonnett

NASCAR is a sport filled with thrilling races and unforgettable moments, but it also has its share of heartbreak, especially when it comes to the drivers we’ve lost on the track. The most notable tragedy was the loss of Dale Earnhardt, who met his untimely end in a devastating last-lap accident during the 2001 Daytona 500. But other losses hit just as hard, like the shocking death of Neil Bonnett.

Neil Bonnett was 47 years old when he took his final drive during a practice session for the Daytona 500. The fact that he hadn’t initially planned to race only makes it even more fateful. His life was tragically cut short in a severe solo crash at the Daytona International Speedway. At the time of his accident, Bonnett was more than just a racer. He was the face of an auto show on cable TV and lent his expertise as a racing analyst for CBS-TV. His death at Halifax Medical Center, resulting from head injuries, left a void in the racing world and in the hearts of many.

Neil Bonnett tried racing after a span of three years that day

Neil Bonnett made a daring comeback to racing after a three-year pause, a break he took to recover from serious head injuries he got at the Darlington Raceway in September 1990. By that time, he was already past his prime as a racer. He had a brush with disaster in 1993 in a frightening crash at Talladega, where he nearly ended up in the stands. Daytona, known for its ruthless track, has seen its fair share of tragedy. The speedway’s grim history includes 41 fatalities: 24 car drivers, 12 motorcyclists, 3 go-kart racers, a powerboat racer, and a track worker.

Watch This Story: Dale Earnhardt Jr & Fans Slam the NASCAR Drivers for Their Embarrassing “Logjam” Incident in Chicago

But why was Neil Bonnett back in the game? He had planned only six races in 1994. The racing community had already been shaken by several tragedies. Clifford Allison died in a crash during practice in a NASCAR Grand National car at Michigan International Speedway in August 1992. Davey Allison lost his life to head injuries from a helicopter crash he was piloting at the Talladega Superspeedway, and it was Bonnett who attempted to rescue him from the wreckage. Alan Kulwicki, another NASCAR star, perished in a plane crash in Tennessee on April 1, 1993.

Bonnett was the 26th driver to die at Daytona and the first Winston Cup driver to lose his life since Ricky Knotts in a qualifying race in 1980. Just a year before, Joe Booher, a Daytona Dash driver, met a similar fate on the same track.

The possible explanations for the wreck that occurred

Trending

“Rest in Peace”: Joe Gibbs Racing Member’s Unfortunate Passing Leaves NASCAR Community Devastated

NASCAR Lawsuit: Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Journey Under Jeopardy With the France Family Going on Attack Mode

Disappointed Alex Bowman Finds a Silver Lining After Hendrick Motorsports “Embarrassed” at Charlotte Roval

Flabbergasted Dale Earnhardt Jr. Unearths Rick Hendrick’s ‘Obvious Mistake’ That Ruined Alex Bowman’s Championship Hopes

“I Was Being Ripped in Two”- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Tears Into NASCAR’s ‘Integrity’ After Frustrating Call Robs Xfinity Star

Back when Neil Bonnett’s crash happened, there were a few theories floating around about what went wrong. Some NASCAR insiders thought his car might have skidded on an oil slick, sending it nearly head-first into the fourth turn wall. Indeed, there had been chatter about oil on the track earlier. But Daytona Speedway’s spokesperson, Larry Balewski, mentioned that the safety team had already tackled the issue with a quick-fix solution. Additionally, Winston Cup director Gary Nelson had taken a good look at the track during a stoppage and gave Turn 4 a clean bill of health.

There was also talk that the wind, gusting up to 25 mph, might have played a part, nudging Bonnett’s car off course. It could be just a case of rotten luck, a typical risk at Daytona, especially for drivers who aren’t at the top of their game.

The crash was brutal. Bonnett’s pink and yellow #51 Chevrolet, owned by James Finch, was so twisted and torn that rescuers had to use the Jaws of Life to free him. Balewski noted that Bonnett still had a faint pulse when he was extracted from the wreckage. In a heart-wrenching saga, Susan [his wife] was on her way to Daytona Beach from their home in Bessemer when the accident happened. She heard the tragic news of her husband’s passing over a radio broadcast while en route.

Read More: “A Lot of B*lls and No Brains”- Unearthed 1994 Footage Reveals Rusty Wallace’s Goosebumps-Inducing ‘Respect’ Rant Days After Daytona Fatality

Bonnett’s career was nothing short of impressive. He had racked up 18 victories and clinched 20 pole positions in 361 Winston starts since 1974, with total winnings of over $3.8 million.