nascartributes

This section is a tribute to the fallen drivers of NASCAR. This is my way to thank these individuals for being brave and following their dreams. This is an unfortunate part of the world's greatest sport. There is always a level of danger and each driver is aware of it. However, racing is in the blood and once the engine fires danger is the last thing on their minds. To a race car driver, only speed and winning are on the mind. These brave individuals died doing what they loved. May their memory live on forever!

Tim Richmond was a page right out of the old days of racing. He had the character like no other driver of this time. Tim was one of the most agressive drivers ever in the sport! He was also influential as a sex symbol, which eventually got Tim in trouble. Tim fell ill in the mid 80's and drove off and on until 1987. Each time he made a comeback, it appeared as if he had never stepped out of the car. Tim's prolonged illness turned out to be AIDs, and he died in 1989.

Rob Moroso is probably the biggest tragedy of the modern era simply because we will never know exactly what he could have done. Rob dominated the Goody's Dash Series in the mid 80's. He made the move to the Busch series and picked up where he left off, winning that title in 1989. Rob made the move to Winston Cup as a rookie in 1990 and ran competitively in several events. However, Rob and a woman were killed in a two car accident while Rob was heading home from a race. He had been drinking and speeding .

Neil was one of the founding members of the famed "Alabama Gang" in the 70's. Neil had plenty of success as a driver, but most people remember him as the colorful TV personality. Neil was forced to retire in 1990 after suffering head injuries in a crash at Darlington. He made his come back at Talladega in 1993, driving a car for Richard Childress. Neil was killed in this car while practicing for the 1994 Daytona 500.

No story is as sad as the one of Adam Petty. Adam help rewrite history by being the only fourth generation driver ever. The Petty name is synonomous with the sport of auto racing, and Adam seemed poised to carry the name on. He won in the ASA series at the age of 17. The next year, he ran the Busch schedule full time. Sadly, Adam lost his life at New Hampshire at the age of 19 while practicing for a Busch race.

Alan Kulwicki is a true hero of NASCAR. He always did things his way, and he never wanted to change that. Alan even turned down a job with legendary owner Junior Johnson. Alan continued on his own and found himself without sponsorship at Daytona in 1991, which is what the picture on the left is from. Hooters came aboard later that season. Alan's gamble paid off when he won the 1992 championship. Alan sadly died in a plane crash in 1993.

Davey was one of the last members of the famed "Alabama Gang". In 1987, Davey won two races as a rookie, a feat that was unheard of at the time. One of the highlights of his short career was finishing second to his father in the 1988 Daytona 500. Davey was in contention to win the championship in 1992, but he was eliminated in a crash during the last race. He was one of the "hands down" favorites to win the 1993 Winston Cup title. Unfortunately, it was not to be, for Davey lost his life in a helicopter accident in July.