1993 hit NASCAR like a freight train. Alan Kulwicki, the 1992 Cup Series champion, died in a plane crash on April 1 near Bristol. Then, on July 12, Davey Allison, the guy with a grin that could melt ice, was killed in a helicopter crash at Talladega. Fans were shattered. But that late September weekend at Martinsville Speedway stitched the community back together, even if just for a moment.

When qualifying day rolled around, Ernie Irvan put the No. 28 car, the one Davey used to race, on the pole. Right beside him was Geoff Bodine, now leading Kulwicki’s No. 7 team, finishing second. For a fleeting second, it felt like the old days, with those iconic numbers up front. Fans couldn’t help but feel the lump in their throats.

NASCAR healed at Martinsville

The race itself was pure emotion. Bodine led 32 laps, which was a solid nod to Kulwicki’s legacy. But Irvan was the who owned it, leading 402 laps in a performance that screamed determination. When he crossed the finish line, Victory Lane turned into something sacred. Irvan climbed out, unzipped his uniform, and revealed a Davey Allison shirt he’d been wearing since taking over the ride. Tears streamed down his face as he dedicated the win to Davey Allison.

A post by @nascarclassics on Instagram told the tale of this iconic race, which healed the hearts of fans all over the country. The victory by Irvan and Bodine’s determined run was the highlight in a season that started on the biggest dampener possible. However, to understand the true meaning behind this, we will need to understand why Kulwicki and Allison were so revered.

Kulwicki’s story was pure stubborn genius. His crew chief, Paul Andrews, said, “It wasn’t easy with Alan. He had to have it his way… He’d sit there and argue with you until he was blue in the face, but that’s what made our championship happen.” Simply put, Alan Kulwicki did it his way, winning the 1992 NASCAR title in incredible fashion.

Kulwicki was behind Bill Elliott in the standings entering the final race, but he never let his hopes down for even a second. Alan knew that even if Elliott beat him, a bonus point for leading laps would secure him the championship, and that’s exactly what he did. Kulwicki led one lap more than Elliott and finished 2nd to him in the race as he lifted the trophy in victory lane. An iconic moment for a driver who was always counted out. Geoff Bodine carried that torch at Martinsville.

Meanwhile, Allison’s warmth lingered. His dad, Bobby, said, “Davey was so personable that he could talk to anybody… He’d spend time with fans like they were his best friends.” Irvan felt it too, telling NASCAR.com, “Davey was special. That win was for him.” When Ernie Irvan joined Robert Yates Racing in ’93, everyone knew he was tough and crazy good. His Michigan win was a redemption arc. By ’94, after that third win in just 10 races, it was all like, ‘This guy’s gonna take the championship!’ Then, boom—during a practice, tire blows in Turn 2, and he slams the wall. Basilar skull fracture, collapsed lungs, and he almost didn’t make it. It was like death came knocking, just like ’93 all over again. CBS Sports quoted Irvan: “I didn’t think I’d ever race again… but I came back for guys like Davey.” 

That day, with Irvan’s tears and Bodine’s fight, the sport held its breath and its heart.

William Byron’s emotional connection to Martinsville Speedway

Martinsville Speedway isn’t just a racetrack for William Byron, it’s a piece of his heart. Every lap he’s run there is special. At 6 or 7, he sat wide-eyed in the stands with his parents, soaking in his first NASCAR race. That little kid never imagined he’d be the one racing there someday. And when he did get the opportunity to do so, it turned out to be a sobering reminder of how unpredictable life can be.

There came a moment in April 2021, a day he’ll never forget. Byron thought his mom, Dana, was cheering from a suite. However, Byron didn’t know she’d collapsed from a stroke-like event until after the race. “Everything just kind of stopped, and that’s just something that will always kind of stick with you,” he recalled. She was rushed from Martinsville to Charlotte, a brain tumor diagnosis shattering their world. A year later, everything flipped.

Dana, recovering strong, perched atop his pit box in April 2022, watched her son storm to victory lane at Martinsville for the first time in his career. Reflecting on the magnitude of his victory, Byron said, “I would say [it’s the biggest] for a couple of reasons — for my mom and then also the fact that I went there for the first-ever race that I watched in person.” For him, it wasn’t just a win; it was about healing, too. “Those two things, it always has been a special place to me,” he added.

Now, in 2025, Byron’s back at Martinsville with the Daytona 500 already under his belt this season, a swagger in his step. He leads the NASCAR Cup Series in points and would hope to mark another trip to his favorite track with a trip to victory lane. Do you think William Byron can reignite his 2022 form and win this weekend? Let us know in the comments!