Alan Kulwicki: # 7, Ford Thunderbird

Alan Kulwicki was an American NASCAR driver, born in Wisconsin, in 1954. Alan drove the # 7 Ford Thunderbird first sponsored by Zerex and later by Hooters. The success of “Special K” (Kilwicki’s nickname) is attributed to his knowledge in engineering likewise the experience and intuition.

Special K started his career in Wisconsin, where he won the 1973 Rookie of the Year award at the now defunct Hales Corners Speedway dirt track and the1979 and 1980 Late Model track championship. In 1985 Kulwicki moved to the southern United States, where he was a driver, owner and oftentimes his own crew chief. In the 1986, Kulwicki could not find a ride, so he fielded his first Winston Cup racing team as owner and driver. With just two cars, two engines and two full-time crew members, he won the Winston Cup Rookie of the Year.

A year later, he won his first NASCAR race at Phoenix International Raceway. He turned around his car, and made his now famous “Polish Victory Lap” by driving the wrong way on the track (driver’s side toward the fans). The final race of 1992 season was one of the most eventful races in NASCAR history. He celebrated his second-ever Polish Victory Lap after claming the five bonus points for leading the most laps against Bill Elliot.

Tragically, Kulwicki was killed at the age 38 in a plane crash on April, 1993 near Blountville, Tennessee, while returning in a Hooters corporate jet from an appearance prior to spring race at Bristol Motor speedway. That season every winner of the season honored Kulwicki with a “Polish Victory Lap”. Tradition which continues in the NASCAR and non-NASCAR drivers.