Neil’s wild ride (and start-and-park) for RCR (1993)
Join me throughout this year as I take a look at when some of the sport’s biggest stars drove some unusual cars! (Presented in no particular order).
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| Ned's famous Talladega crash, flipping over the car of Ted Musgrave, courtesy RCR |
Why? A serious crash at Darlington forced Neil Bonnett into what seemed like early retirement, forcing him to focus on his burgeoning broadcasting career. However, Bonnett worked behind-the-scenes to return to the driver’s seat, finally getting doctors’ approval in 1993. His good friend Dale Earnhardt got him two races in a 2nd RCR car (numbered 31) at Talladega and Atlanta.
How successful were they? Talladega would see Bonnett endure another frightening crash, but he escaped unharmed, even calling the rest of the race from the broadcast booth. His Atlanta appearance was essentially a “start-and-park” effort entered as a backup car for Earnhardt, who only needed to avoid a disastrous race to clinch his sixth championship.
What was the aftermath? Bonnett’s comeback was to continue with a partial-schedule in 1994, but he was tragically killed practicing for the Daytona 500. RCR, meanwhile, would bring back the 31 car for Mike Skinner full-time in 1997.
Ranking on the Strange-O-Meter? 7 mustaches out of 10—it was a strange, and ultimately disappointing, way for Bonnett to end his racing career.
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