On this day in Alabama history: Racing’s Neil Bonnett killed in crash

February 11, 1994

Neil Bonnett’s life ended on Feb. 11, 1994, following a crash during a practice run at the Daytona International Speedway. He died just one hour after hitting a wall, suffering massive head injuries. Bonnett was readying for the Daytona 500, which he hadn’t originally planned to enter. Bonnett was in the middle of a limited comeback tour, after suffering a head injury almost three years before. The injury had left him with amnesia for several weeks. As a result, he’d only scheduled four races during 1994. Racing authorities tried to pin the crash on several different reasons. In the end, officials said that a shock mount had broken, which caused Bonnett to lose control of his Country Time Chevrolet on the track’s high-banked fourth turn. Bonnett, who was 47 years old, was buried in Pleasant Grove at Forest Grove Memorial Gardens. A street in his hometown – Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive – was named in his memory.

Read more at Encyclopedia of Alabama.

Ensley native Neil Bonnett (1946-1994) was a member of the Alabama Gang, popular NASCAR drivers based out of Hueytown, Jefferson County, that included the Allison brothers. Bonnett won 18 NASCAR events before dying during a practice session at Daytona International Speedway. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of the Birmingham News)

The RahMoc Enterprises-owned #75 Chevy, driven by Neil Bonnett, at the 1983 Van Scoy 500. Bonnett finished 7th and led 6 laps. (us44mt, Wikipedia)

NASCAR driver Neil Bonnett, 1985. (Photograph by Ted Van Pelt, Wikipedia)

Racecar driver Neil Bonnett, left, poses with fellow Alabama Gang members Bobby, right, and Donnie Allison. The Alabama Gang, centered in Hueytown, Jefferson County, was a successful group of NASCAR drivers during the 1970s and 1980s. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame)

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