November 14, 1993

H

HardScrabble

Guest
November 14, 1993
Today featured an emotional conclusion to the 1993 season. Barely a year
before, Davey Allison entered this event at Atlanta Motor Speedway as the
odds on favorite to win his first championship. Several other drivers were
mathematically capable of taking the lead from him. A mid-race crashed
eliminated Allison and set up arguably the best finish in NASCAR's history.
It saw independent driver Alan Kulwicki winning the championship on the
strength of leading the most laps. Earlier this year, both Allison and
Kulwicki were lost to separate aviation accidents. Rusty Wallace and Dale
Earnhardt both viewed this season as special; more than normal, both wanted
to win. Wallace led the most laps (189) and scored the victory in the
Hooters 500, improving from his 20th starting position. It was the 31st
career-victory for Wallace. Earnhardt won the war-scoring his 6th
championship by a margin of 146 points. What came next is etched in NASCAR
fans' memory. Wallace and Earnhardt both reversed their cars to take a
"Polish Victory Lap," so named by Polish descended Kulwicki after winning
his first race at Phoenix in 1988. Each carried a banner for one of the
fallen heroes.
 
I'll never forget that lap. I was in tears when those flags came out to the cars.

Two great competitors and friends, honoring two great competitors and friends.:(
 
1993 was a tough year to be certain. Both Davey and Alan were top notch drivers, and class acts to boot. I miss both of them terribly.
 
Davey and Alan are some of the reasons I watch the classic races on TV. They both new how to get it done.



Davey and Alan - gone to race in a better place:(
 
I cried for an hour after that race. I have 3 8x10's hanging on the bedroom wall to this day....the only pictures that I have moved with me every time I have moved. One is Davey kneeled in front of his Havoline #28 Cup car in his rookie year. The other two are Alan, one in front of his Zerek #7 Rookie Cup car and the other in front of his Army #7 special Camo paint scheme. They are amongst my prize possessions.

Steve and I wanted to get a pit pass earlier this season but the budget just did not allow. The only reason I wanted one was because I wanted to talk to Paul Andrews about Alan and get him to autograph one of Alan's pics.

Thanks for the memory HS! You are the man! (if by chance you are female.....You go girl!)

Kel
 
I wish I could remember that moment in time. My earliest Nascar memory is Davey's death, not one I would like to remeber.
 
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