Alan Kulwicki

1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion

Born: December 14, 1954 (d. 1993)
Hometown: Greenfield, WI
The File: Celebrated each of his five NASCAR Winston Cup victories by circling the track in the wrong direction in his "Polish Victory Lap." Holder of a college degree in engineering, Kulwicki was an independent who was the most recent owner-driver to win the NASCAR Winston Cup title in 1992. Claimed championship by a margin of ten points over Bill Elliott in the closest title race in history. Was NASCAR Winston Cup Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year in 1986 and also raced the ASA tour. Kulwicki led 20 races en route to 1992 championship, winning two. Had five career wins plus 24 poles in 207 starts.

Alan Kulwicki was different.

He was not southern-bred. He had not grown up around racetracks as a way of life.

He was a quiet, devout Catholic from Wisconsin with a stubborn streak. He was going to do it his way - even if it meant doing everything himself. Which is how he really wanted to do it.

Armed with a college degree and a love of mechanics as well as racing, Kulwicki ran his own team. He managed. He drove. And he plunged under the car after practice sessions to adjust the springs.

Other teams had years of experience. Kulwicki had brains and drive - both of which he pushed long into the night. Other NASCAR Winston Cup drivers went to dinner. Kulwicki went back to work with his small team of family and friends that made up his crew.

"Is this a hard way to do it?" Kulwicki once asked rhetorically. "Yes.

"But it's my way - maybe the only way that it will work for me. To succeed, I have to know how I succeeded. That's how it will be meaningful."

After seven seasons of battling the bigger teams, it all came together for Kulwicki in 1992. He won the NASCAR Winston Cup title by a mere ten points over Bill Elliott.

"Not too many of us figure it out on our own. Alan did," said Terry Labonte. "He knew everything about his car and he was learning the series. I think he could have been a champion at whatever he wanted to do in the sport."