Political Quotes

“stock car racing and sports fans in Alabama and across the South were shocked and saddened yet again on February 11 when driver Neil Bonnett, native of Hueytown and a senior member of the famed Alabama Gang, was killed during the opening practice session for the Daytona 500. This was the third tragic death in 18 months of a member of the gang. Star Davey Allison died in a helicopter crash in July, and his brother Clifford was killed in a car crash 11 months before that. Sadly, the Daytona track claimed its second victim in just 4 days only a few hours before Neil's funeral when Rodney Orr, a racer from Palm Coast, FL, was killed during a practice lap. Only 47 years old, Bonnett was making a comeback from a crash in 1990 in which he suffered a severe concussion and partial memory loss. After that crash, he became the host of a television racing show on the Nashville network. Although he had a promising TV career, his friends and colleagues knew that his heart and soul were in racing. Bonnett began his racing career in the early 1970's with another member of the Alabama Gang, his long-time friend Bobby Allison. Over the course of his career, he claimed 18 NASCAR victories. Neil Bonnett will long be remembered not only as a world-class sportsman and competitor of the highest order, but also as a loving husband, father, and friend who just couldn't ignore his passion for car racing.”