A member of NASCAR’s famed “Alabama Gang,” Bonnett proved every bit up to the task of keeping pace with friends Bobby and Donnie Allison and Red Farmer.
Bonnett scored the first of his 18 Cup Series wins at Richmond Raceway in 1977, competing in an abbreviated season. In fact, part of what makes Bonnett’s statistics so impressive is that he only competed in five full-time seasons in a 20-year driving career.
RELATED: Neil Bonnett’s career stats | Members of the Hall of Fame
He claimed many high-profile victories, including back-to-back Coca-Cola 600s (1982-83), and wins at Daytona and Talladega for the Wood Brothers.
In between racing duties, Bonnett was a popular choice to represent the sport in primetime. He appeared in Stroker Ace and Days of Thunder, and did TV race commentary for CBS, TBS and TNN.
Bonnett was killed in an incident during practice for the 1994 Daytona 500.
He was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.
NEIL BONNETT FILE
Born: June 30, 1946
Died: Feb. 11, 1994
Hometown: Bessemer, Alabama
Cup Series Stats
Competed: 1973-94
Starts: 362
Wins: 18
Poles: 20
Years on Ballot: 6