Alan Dennis Kulwicki Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018
Alan Dennis Kulwicki (December 14, 1954 – April 1, 1993), nicknamed "Special K" and the "Polish Prince", was an American NASCAR Winston Cup Series (now Sprint Cup Series) racecar driver. He started racing at local short tracks in Wisconsin before moving up to regional stock car touring series. Kulwicki arrived at NASCAR, the highest and most expensive level of stock car racing in the United States, with no sponsor, a limited budget, and only a racecar and a borrowed pickup truck. Despite starting with meager equipment and finances, he earned the 1986 NASCAR Rookie of the Year award over drivers racing for well-funded teams.After Kulwicki won his first race at Phoenix International Raceway, he debuted what would become his trademark "Polish Victory Lap". Kulwicki won the 1992 Winston Cup championship by what was then the closest margin in NASCAR history. He died early in 1993 in a light aircraft accident, and therefore never defended his championship. He has been inducted into numerous racing halls of fame and was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.Kulwicki was known for being a perfectionist and doing things his own way. An engineer by trade, his scientific approach to NASCAR racing inspires the way teams are now run. Despite lucrative offers from top car owners, he insisted on driving for his own race team, AK Racing, during most of his NASCAR career. Described by his publicist as "a real hard type of person to get to know", he remained a bachelor throughout his life.
Was the first NASCAR Winston/Nextel Cup series champion to be born north of the Mason-Dixon Line, and also was the first ever champion with a college degree.
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The car he won the 1992 Winston Cup with, the thunderbird, has been restored by a NASCAR fan
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Did not get the points lead until the final race of the season in 1992 (Atlanta 500 in Hampton, GA), which he won the championship over 'Bill Elliott (VI)' in the closest points race in NASCAR history.
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The car he won the 1992 Winson Cup with, the thunderbird, has been restored by a NASCAR fan
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First win: Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix, Arizona.
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Inventer of the 'Polish Victory Lap'
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Called his Ford Thunderbird the 'Underbird' in the last race in 1992 because his chances of winning the championship were slim to none when he enterd the race.
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Did not get the points lead until the last race of 1992, when he won the champoinship oner Bill Elliot in the closest points race in NASCAR.
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The last owner/driver (to date) to win the Winston Cup, in 1992
$500,000